Speeding car crushes two cops clearing CM's route

KOLKATA: A young couple out on a speed spin in the evening crushed two policemen to death and left one critically injured on the VIP Road flyover. The girl, who was sitting in the passenger's seat, is also battling for life. The driver, Debjal Gupta, got away with a few scratches and bruises.
Police have sent his blood samples for tests to see if he was drunk.Gupta, a Baguiati resident, is from a well-to-do family and works with a private firm. His friend, Shampa Bhattachar-ya from Bally, is pursuing a management degree in Kolkata, say police.
The policemen were on duty near the Haldiram's end of the flyover to clear the route for chief minister Budhadeb Bhattacharjee. The accident happened at 6.15 pm, an hour before Bhattacharjee's convoy was to pass.
Assistant sub-inspector Babul Karmamar (43) and constables Prabir Banerjee (56) and Parmanshu Pandey (49) were standing next to the railing along the Haldiram's flank, well away from oncoming traffic. Gupta and Shampa were speeding down Rajarhat Expressway in a red Alto.
"They were coming at breakneck speed," said an officer.
The driver lost control of the wheel at the sharp left turn on the flyover and crashed into the policemen.
The trio was crushed between the flyover railings and the vehicle. Shampa, who was sitting in the front seat beside Gupta, was also seriously injured. The left side of the car was smashed. All four were rushed to the nearby Charnock Hospital by the policemen's colleagues. Karmakar bled to death on the way. The other three were shifted to Renaissance Hospital, a block away, where constable Pandey was declared brought dead.
Constable Parmanshu Pandey, who was hit by an Alto on VIP Road flyover, is in critical condition. His colleagues, ASI Babul Karmakar and constable Prabir Banerjee were killed.
Shampa Bhattacharya, who was in the front passenger seat of the car, has received critical head injuries, say police. She was shifted to Apollo Gleneagles Hospital late at night.
"The injured constable is battling for life. The vehicle was at breakneck speed, which is how the driver lost control at the sharp turn. We have sent Debjal Gupta (the driver) for medical examination to confirm if he was driving under the influence of alcohol," said additional SP (north) HMS Meerza.
Karmakar was recently transferred from Howrah to North 24-Parganas. Banerjee hailed from Burdwan while Pandey is originally from Uttar Pradesh.
"The dead policemen were the only bread winners of their families. Their children are still studying. We have appealed to the police higher-ups to see that at least one member from each family gets a job as soon as possible," said West Bengal Non-gazetted Police Karmachari Samity, North 24-Parganas, secretary Goutam Sarkar.