A devastating road accident near the welcome gate of Ayeng village in East Siang district has left one person dead and several others injured, including a group of students returning from agricultural work. The incident occurred on Thursday evening, highlighting ongoing road safety concerns in the region’s rural stretches.
Incident Details
The collision involved a pick-up truck laden with passengers slamming into a stationary dumper truck parked along the roadside. Preliminary reports suggest brake failure as a possible cause, though a formal investigation is underway to ascertain the exact circumstances. The accident site, under the Mebo Sub-Division, is a busy thoroughfare connecting Pasighat to remote villages in Upper Siang district.
Casualties and Victims
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Fatalities: Shri Dino Dai was declared dead on arrival at Bakin Pertin General Hospital (BPGH) in Pasighat.
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Injured: At least eight youths, primarily students from Adi Pasi village in Upper Siang district, were hurt while travelling in the truck’s cargo bed. The victims included:
- Shri Toktem Dai (Class IX student)
- Shri Geyon Apum (Class X student)
- Shri Galong Apum (Class XI student)
- Shri Karduk Apum (Class XII/1st Semester college student)
- Shri Mirem Moyong (under ongoing treatment at BPGH)
Additionally, the truck’s driver – a local resident and the father of a young girl passenger – and the girl herself sustained injuries. The students, who attend schools and colleges in Pasighat, had been engaged in daily wage crop harvesting in Ayeng village.
Several injured individuals received immediate care at BPGH, with some discharged after primary treatment. However, the young girl, her father, and one other youth were referred to Dibrugarh for specialised medical attention due to their critical conditions.
Swift Medical Response
The hospital’s response was exemplary, with off-duty doctors from multiple specialties – including ENT, orthopaedics, surgery, anaesthesia, and medicine – rushing to assist. Key responders included Dr. K. Tayeng, Dr. B. Tayeng, Dr. Taloh, Dr. Tani Siram, Dr. Donyi, Dr. Ojong, Dr. Yaaram, Dr. Genom, Dr. Bomni Tayeng, and Dr. Kaling Jerang. The doctors’ association mobilised quickly via a circulated alert, ensuring comprehensive care. Senior medical staff expressed appreciation for the collaborative effort, reaffirming their dedication to patient welfare beyond regular hours.
Community and Official Reactions
Local authorities have extended condolences to the bereaved family and wished speedy recovery to the injured. The East Siang district administration is coordinating with police to probe the mishap, focusing on vehicle maintenance and road infrastructure. Community leaders from Ayeng and Adi Pasi villages have called for enhanced safety measures, such as better lighting, signage, and regular vehicle checks on inter-village routes.
This tragedy adds to a string of road accidents in Arunachal Pradesh’s hilly terrains, where factors like poor road conditions and overloaded vehicles often contribute to fatalities. Residents and officials alike have renewed appeals for stricter enforcement of traffic rules to prevent future losses.
(Source: India Today NE)
