Pillion rider killed in crash with sand-laden truck at Parama Island

Kolkata: A pillion rider (33) was killed and the biker was seriously injured in a late-night road traffic accident on EM Bypass involving a sand-laden truck that disregarded the traffic signal. The incident was reported at Parama Island, close to Science City, on Wednesday night around 11.40 pm.Cops said that both victims, residents of Kasba, stopped at the signal and awaited it to turn green. Both wore helmets and followed traffic norms, traffic cops said after viewing CCTV footage. "It seems that the truck driver ploughed into the bike, disregarding the traffic signal. The impact was such that both men were thrown some distance from the bike, with the pillion rider coming under the truck's wheels," said an investigating officer.Police identified the deceased as Samya Kar, the pillion rider on the motorcycle and a resident of Deshbandhu Road in Jadavpur. He was taken to SSKM Hospital, where he was declared dead, police said.The injured motorcyclist was identified as Shyamal De (43), a resident of Kasba. He sustained multiple injuries in the crash. He was also taken to SSKM Hospital for treatment and was later discharged.Police said they identified the sand-laden vehicle, though the registration number was not clearly legible in the document provided.The incident was recorded under Pragati Maidan Police Station, though the investigation will be handed over to the Fatal Squad of Kolkata Police.According to preliminary reports, the truck travelled at a high speed, likely attempting to beat the signal change or banking on the late-hour lull in traffic enforcement.