Woman dies after minister’s car swerves to avoid her in Bogura

An elderly woman died on Friday from injuries sustained after being hit by a car carrying State Minister for Public Administration and Food Abdul Bari, which swerved off the road and plunged into a roadside paddy field in Bogura’s Shibganj.

Firoza Begum, 60, died at around 11:30am at TMSS Hospital in Bogura, where she was undergoing treatment.

Local residents said the driver lost control of the vehicle while trying to avoid Firoza as she crossed the road near Kichak Bridge in Shibganj at around 8:45am. The car then veered off the road and landed in an adjacent paddy field.

Locals rescued the minister and his wife from the vehicle. Abdul Bari sustained injuries to his knee and both legs. His gunman, Muktarul, said the minister was taken to Joypurhat Sadar Hospital for treatment shortly after the accident.

Firoza was initially taken to Shibganj Upazila Health Complex and later transferred to TMSS Hospital as her condition worsened.

Ibrahim Ali, officer-in-charge of Bogura Sadar Police Station, confirmed her death and said her body remained in police custody at the hospital. He said the authorities would consult her family before deciding on further legal action.

Firoza, of Gopinathpur village in Kichak Union, was reportedly on her way to a relative’s house carrying belongings when the accident occurred, said her nephew Md Zakir.

Shibganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer Ziaur Rahman said officials had met the family at the hospital.

“Government assistance will be provided to the family towards funeral expenses. We are also monitoring the overall situation,” he said.