Bride among 4 dead, groom critical after truck hits SUV in Vaishali district

Patna: With eyes full of dreams and excitement about starting a new life, Madhepura's Rupa Kumari, in her 20s, was on way to her new home in Vaishali district after her marriage to Dinanath Kumar and ‘vidai' on Monday. But both her life and dreams were cut short in a tragic accident on Jandaha-Samastipur main road in Mahishour police station area of Vaishali district in the early hours of Tuesday.
While Rupa died on the spot after a head-on collision between the SUV, she was travelling in, and an uncontrolled sand-laden truck, her husband is fighting for his life in Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH).
Three more people, including an eight-year-old girl, died on the spot, while the groom's friend and the SUV driver were also severely injured in the accident, which occurred around 3.45am when the SUV, transporting the bride and groom, along with the marriage party, was returning home to Bidupur.
According to the police, the three other deceased have been identified as Babita Devi, her daughter Chulbul Kumari (8) and Mona Devi, the groom's maternal aunt.
Police first admitted the injured to Hajipur Sadar Hospital, from where they were referred to Patna's PMCH in a critical condition. The police seized both the vehicles, however, the driver of the truck managed to escape. The bodies were sent to the district hospital for postmortem examination.
Mahishour station house officer (SHO) Ram Niwas Kumar said the wedding took place at a temple in Bhagalpur district's Naugachia. "After the wedding, everyone was returning home when the speeding truck hit their SUV. The family members of the deceased were informed. The police are searching for the accused driver," he said.