Accident sparks highway blockade in Rapti Sonari, Banke

KATHMANDU: Local residents in Rapti Sonari have blocked the East-West Highway after a fatal accident involving a tipper truck and a motorcycle resulted in the death of a young man.

The incident occurred last night in Dhakeri, Ward No. 9 of Rapti Sonari Rural Municipality, when a tipper truck struck a motorcycle, leading to the death of Lokendra Bista, approximately 35 years old, from Rapti Sonari Ward No. 8.

According to Narayan Dangi, the Deputy Superintendent of Police and information officer at the District Police Office, Banke, the accident occured around 9:35 PM.

The tipper truck, bearing the license plate number Bhe 1 Kha 3019, was traveling eastward from Kohalpur when it collided with Bista’s motorcycle, which had the license plate number Bhe 10 Pa 1413 and was traveling westward towards Kohalpur.

The impact of the collision was so severe that Bista died on the spot.

In response to the accident, local residents set the tipper truck on fire and blocked the highway. The driver of the truck fled the scene, while the owner of the vehicle has been in contact with the police. Efforts are being made by the police to clear the road and restore normal traffic flow.

Lokendra Bista was the chairman of the Pushpanjali Community Forest Users Committee in Rapti Sonari Ward No. 8 and also served as the secretary of the Central Bindhu Intermediate Area Users Committee, according to local resident Kabindra Pariyar. Pariyar mentioned that Bista’s body remains on the road, and the East-West Highway is still obstructed.