Three Killed, 16 Injured in Highway Collision Involving Truck, Bus, and Pickup in Nawalparasi

Nawalparasi. A traffic accident occurred last night on the East-West Highway at Ghiu Khola in Bardaghat Municipality-4, Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta West). A truck traveling from east to west collided with a bus and a pickup truck also moving in the same direction, resulting in the deaths of three people and injuring 16, including one police officer involved in the rescue operation.

According to the District Police Office, the accident happened around 12:40 AM when a truck with license plate Na 7 Kha 9398 hit the bus with license plate Lu 2 Kha 2351 and the pickup truck with license plate Na 5 Cha 2275. After the collision, the pickup stopped on the side of the road, while the bus and the truck fell approximately 100 to 200 meters down the slope.

All three deceased individuals were male. One of the deceased has been identified as Gobin Budha, approximately 25 years old, residing in Bagamara, Rolpa. The names, surnames, and addresses of the other two deceased males, estimated to be between 25-26 and 28-30 years old, could not be ascertained. Police Deputy Superintendent and Information Officer Bir Dutt Pant informed that the bodies of the deceased have been kept at the District Hospital, Parasi.

Immediately following the accident, a team of 52 personnel from the Area Police Office, Bardaghat, and the District Traffic Police rushed to the scene for rescue. During the rescue operation in the dark and steep area, Police Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Kamal Prasad Acharya, working at the Area Police Office, Bardaghat, slipped and fell, also sustaining injuries. He has been sent to Lumbini City Hospital, Butwal, for treatment.

Most of the injured received primary treatment at Chisapani Hospital and were subsequently sent to Lumbini City Hospital, Butwal, for further treatment. Among those being treated in Butwal are Marichman Ghartimagar from Rolpa, bus driver Himal Ghartimagar, Kiran Pun Magar, Sushila Nepali, Motilal Dangi, Jhup Bahadur Gharti, and Tirtha Bahadur Pun, all passengers on the bus.

Similarly, Lokraj Ojha from Kanchanpur, truck drivers Sagar Chaudhary and Jivan Chaudhary from Bardiya, Laxmi Khatri from Kathmandu, Khim Bahadur Nepali from Dang, and an unidentified woman approximately 25 years old are also receiving treatment in Butwal. The condition of the unidentified woman is serious, while the others are in moderate condition.

Furthermore, pickup driver Ashik Gurung and Bishal Chepang, both from Chitwan, are being treated at Chisapani Hospital. Police stated that their condition is stable. Further investigation into how the incident occurred is ongoing.