Man killed as paddy laden truck hits tree

A truck helper was killed and the driver injured after a truck overloaded with paddy sacks hit a tree after veering off the Rajshahi-Chapainawabganj highway in Rajshahi early today.

The helper Iman Ali, 35, of Chapainawabganj, died on the spot, our Rajshahi staff correspondent reports quoting Mahbubul Alam, officer-in-charge of RMP's Damkura Police Station.

The driver Md Faisal of the same age was admitted to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital after he was rescued two hours later by cutting the truck's body, he said.

The accident occurred at Kosba area around 5:45am as the truck was transporting paddy from Jashore to a Chapainawabganj auto rice mills.

The driver told the police that his truck accidentally veered off the highway while he was letting a bus from behind to overtake him, the police officer said.

"But it appeared the driver was drowsy while driving such a long distance", the police officer said.

The helper's body was taken to RMCH morgue for autopsy.