NONGPOH : A Home Guard personnel died after being struck and trapped by electric poles that fell following a collision between two vehicles at Byrnihat in Meghalaya’s Ri-Bhoi district on Tuesday evening.
The incident occurred at around 6:35 pm on August 12 at Byrnihat.
According to information received, a pickup vehicle bearing registration number AS-25-EC-3468, which was carrying electric poles belonging to Nezone Company, collided with a truck bearing registration number AS-01-FC-9640, which was transporting coke.
Following the collision, the electric poles loaded on the pickup fell onto the road and struck a Home Guard personnel who was reportedly on duty managing traffic at the location.
Home Guard Dies Before Reaching Hospital
Personnel from the Byrnihat Police Station immediately reached the spot and rushed the injured Home Guard to Byrnihat Primary Health Centre (PHC).
However, doctors at the health centre declared that he had died before he could receive treatment.
The deceased has been identified as Megellan Sohkhlet, a resident of Pahamsohthri in Ri-Bhoi district.
Pickup Driver Later Surrenders
Police said the pickup vehicle was being driven by Gandhi Kalita, a resident of Pachim Boragaon under Gorchuk Police Station in Kamrup Metropolitan district of Assam.
According to police, Kalita fled the scene following the accident but later surrendered himself at the Byrnihat Police Station.
The coke-laden truck was being driven by John Paul Khardewsaw, a resident of New Nongstoin.
Both vehicles were reportedly travelling towards Nongpoh when the collision occurred.
Police Begin Investigation
The Byrnihat Police have initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident.
After completion of the necessary legal formalities, the body of the deceased Home Guard was handed over to his family for the final rites.
The incident has raised concerns over road safety and the risks faced by personnel deployed to manage traffic along the busy Byrnihat stretch.