Alipurduar, 30th December: In a tragic incident, a pickup van overturned on the way to a football competition, injuring 18 footballers. The incident occurred on the Putimari-Dhalkore National Highway 31C in Alipurduar.
Reportedly, the 22-member football team from Samuktala was en route to participate in a match in Patkapara when the accident took place. The van reportedly lost control while trying to avoid an e-rickshaw, falling 30 feet.
Local residents quickly initiated rescue efforts, and 10 of the injured were admitted to Alipurduar District Hospital. Three of them are in critical condition. All the injured individuals are from Samuktala and Raydak Tea Estate.