Bagdogra, 05th December: In a tragic accident, a pickup van and an auto crashed in the Singijhora Tea Estate area of Bagdogra on the national highway, leaving four people injured. The accident happened while the vehicles were attempting to avoid a herd of wild elephants that had wandered onto the road.
According to reports, three elephants emerged from the forest and onto the highway, leading to the crash as the drivers tried to save the animals. The injured were promptly rescued and taken to Bagdogra Hospital. Following initial treatment, they were referred to North Bengal Medical College and Hospital (NBMCH) for further care.
Personnel from the Bagdogra Forest Department arrived at the scene and successfully guided the elephants back into the forest. Meanwhile, Bagdogra Traffic Police recovered the damaged vehicles and moved them to the local police station.
Sonam Bhutia, Ranger of the Bagdogra Forest Department, confirmed that the injured were rescued and emphasized the importance of driving cautiously, particularly in areas prone to wildlife crossings.