In tragic news, another victim of last week’s horrendous car accident in the village of Nongalbibra, seven-year-old Aryan Sangma, lost his life today morning after battling his injuries for the past five days in a Guwahati hospital, taking the death toll from the incident to six.
Aryan, according to family sources, lost his fight and passed away at around 6 am today. His body is expected to be brought to Nongalbibra tomorrow for funeral rites.
Meanwhile, further details have emerged of some of the injured persons. One is recovering in Tura, one in Williamnagar and another is nursing a broken hand in Nongalbibra itself.
It may be recalled that on January 12 at about 11:30 pm, a vehicle driven by one Badal Lama rammed into a parked truck at high speed, leading to four people succumbing to their injuries on the spot while another lost his life upon reaching Williamnagar Civil Hospital the same day.
Three of the injured were rushed to Guwahati by former Rongara-Siju MLA, Rophul Marak, for treatment.
Of the three, Aryan’s condition was the most serious and he underwent an operation on January 13. However, he failed to regain consciousness and lost his life this morning. His mother was among the victims who died on the spot.
In better news, Lama is said to be recovering from the accident and is conscious. Sengchi Sangma (15), who was also critical when she was brought to Guwahati, is also said to be better and is responding to treatment.
The death of Aryan has raised the toll to six. At least 11 people were travelling in the ill-fated truck. The dead include three children and an equal number of women.
Marak, along with more well wishers from Garo Hills, had run a campaign to raise financial aid which received a huge response. The well wishers have been continuing their efforts to collect enough money to pay the hospital bills of the two children and the driver in Guwahati.
“We are extremely saddened to hear of the demise of Aryan. We had been hoping and praying he would return home. We will continue our efforts to ensure Sengchi returns to our midst and continue with the same hope,” said John D. Sangma, a well wisher who is a part of the fundraising efforts.