The Emad Paribahan bus fell off the expressway and hit the wall of the underpass 100 feet below. 19 people including the driver died. The reason for this devastating accident was that, the bus driver did not sleep for 30 hours. He drove for straight 2 days and did not even rest. Because of this, he was drowsy and lost control while driving. In this condition he started for Dhaka from Khulna on the day when the incident occured.
This tragic accident took place on the Padma Bridge Expressway in Kutubpur area of Shibchar Upazila of Madaripur on Sunday (March, 19) morning. According to the highway police, the driver Zahid Hasan was driving the bus at excessive speed due to tired body and sleepy eyes.
Emad Paribahan brings passengers from Khulna, Pirojpur and Satkhira to Dhaka. Zahid Hasan (40) joined as driver seven months ago. It is known that the bus drivers do not get any opportunity to rest. They have to drive non-stop. The result of this was the death of 19 people.
Driver Zahid Hasan's son Ratul came to the Shibchar Upazila Health Complex to identify his father's body and said that his father only gets to visit home one day every week. On Thursday, he left his house and drove the bus on five trips on the Dhaka, Pirojpur, and Khulna routes.
Emad Paribahan Manager (Operation) Wahidul Islam said that Zahid did not inform anyone that he was tired. Also, arrangements are made for bus drivers to rest at every place.
An injured bus passenger said that the bus was being driven at a reckless speed on the highway. He said that the driver did not listen to anyone even though the passengers protested several times.
Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) said that the bus did not have permission to operate. The fitness certificate had also expired.
