Kid, parents safe after SUV jumps Maa divider, rams car; traffic hit for an hour

Kolkata: An LKG student and his parents had a miraculous escape after a speeding SUV jumped the median divider and rammed into an oncoming car on the opposite carriageway of Maa flyover near Topsia on Saturday morning. The collision left both vehicles badly mangled and their drivers – including the boy’s father – seriously injured.The accident took place around 8 am near the Hindu cemetery in the Topsia area when the SUV, travelling from the Park Circus end, allegedly lost control, crossed the central divider and crashed head-on into a car approaching from the opposite direction. The airbags in both vehicles deployed on impact, preventing what could have been a major tragedy. No deaths were reported.The child was travelling with his parents to his school in the Park Street area for a parent-teacher meeting scheduled on the day of the distribution of results. The car carrying the family from New Town suffered extensive damage, particularly on its left side, following the impact.While the father was admitted to Fortis Hospital with multiple injuries, the child too had suffered cuts and bruises on his face and was under severe trauma, cops said. Police from Topsia police station arranged for the injured to be taken to hospital. The driver of the SUV, Gopal Chowdhury from Rajarhat, was admitted to SSKM Hospital. The collision triggered severe traffic congestion on Maa flyover and the road underneath it, with vehicular movement remaining disrupted for nearly an hour.Police have seized both vehicles and taken them to Topsia police station for examination. Investigators are probing the circumstances leading to the accident, including whether the SUV driver was under the influence of alcohol.State urban development minister Agnimitra Paul demanded stringent action against the driver, arguing that reckless driving of this nature should be treated as an attempt to murder.“It is only by God’s grace that nobody died in the accident. A speeding car was travelling so fast that it crossed the divider and hit a vehicle coming from the opposite direction. Three people were affected. I have said that an attempt-to-murder case should be registered. This cannot be tolerated,” Paul said.Drawing a comparison with stunts portrayed in Hindi films, she criticised motorists who drive recklessly on public roads and demanded that the accused be arrested without delay. “People cannot watch Hindi films and try to become Salman Khan or Aamir Khan on the roads, putting other people’s lives at risk. This will not be allowed. Arrest the person immediately,” she said.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Kolkata | Silver Rate in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata | Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Petrol Price in Kolkata | Diesel Price in Kolkata | CNG Price in Kolkata | LPG Price in KolkataStay updated with the latest Kolkata news. Download the TOI App.