Three people, including a Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) member, a woman and a child, were killed in a head-on collision between a RAB-8 coaster and a Dhanshiri Paribahan bus in the Fatuddia Bazar area of Patuakhali Sadar on Saturday morning.
According to RAB sources, around 30 passengers — RAB-8 members travelling with their relatives — were heading to Kuakata for a trip in a coaster (Barishal Metro-Jha 11-0006). At around 830am, upon reaching Fatuddia Bazar, the vehicle collided head-on with a Dhaka-bound Dhanshiri Paribahan bus (Barishal Metro Ba-11-0206) coming from Kuakata.
The deceased were identified as ASI Abdul Alim (34), who was driving the coaster, a woman named Afroza (around 28), and a child named Piyas. They died at the scene.
Several others were injured and taken to Patuakhali Sadar Hospital and nearby health complexes. Some of the critically injured were later transferred to Barishal CMH (Combined Military Hospital). An air ambulance has been prepared to transfer them to Dhaka CMH for advanced treatment.
Traffic on the Patuakhali–Kuakata highway was temporarily halted following the crash. Local administration and fire service personnel conducted rescue operations at the site.
