A tragic road accident in Siwan district on Saturday night resulted in the death of one youth and serious injuries to two others. The incident occurred in Basaw village, under Basantpur police station, when police were chasing a pickup truck suspected of carrying illicit liquor.

During the police pursuit, the speeding pickup truck rammed into three youths who were strolling on a narrow village road. The deceased has been identified as Mohammad Asif (38) from Basaw village. The injured include Sultan (33), also from Basaw, and Paul Ramesh from West Bengal. Paul Ramesh, critically injured, has been referred to Patna, while Sultan is undergoing treatment at Sadar Hospital.

Villagers and family members allege that after the accident, police personnel continued their chase of the pickup truck instead of assisting the injured. According to the family, Paul Ramesh was visiting Basaw for a wedding ceremony. After dinner, Asif, Sultan, and Paul Ramesh were walking on a narrow village road when the speeding pickup truck hit them. Villagers stated that upon hearing the loud crash, they rushed out to find the three youths lying severely injured by the roadside.

According to locals, the pickup driver lost control a short distance ahead, and the vehicle fell into a ditch. Police then seized the pickup and arrested the driver. Villagers quickly transported the three injured individuals to Basantpur PHC, from where they were referred to Sadar Hospital. However, Asif succumbed to his injuries on the way to Sadar Hospital. Basantpur Station House Officer Amit Kumar confirmed that the pickup and its driver have been apprehended but declined to comment on the allegations that police continued the chase instead of helping the injured.