One person was killed at Marisda in East Midnapore on Friday morning when a truck collided head-on with an autorickshaw on NH116B, sparking off outrage among local people who blocked the highway for two hours and set fire to a police vehicle. Five policemen were injured in the violent protest.

Nine persons were seriously injured in the accident, which took place on the Calcutta-Digha stretch of NH116B near Marisda around 7.30am. Eyewitnesses said a race between the speeding truck and a bus, both of which had left Contai, led to the collision. While trying to overtake the bus at high speed, the truck lost control and rammed into the three-wheeler.

“All injured remain critical as of this evening,” said a source at Contai subdivisional hospital, where the injured were rushed by local residents.

The deceased was West Kamardaha resident Padmavati Mahra, 48. Sources said all the injured also hailed from West Kamardaha.

According to sources, nine female workers from West Kamardaha were travelling in the auto and were on their way to a nearby wig manufacturing factory.

“The injured were rescued with the help of local residents and were brought to the Contai SubDivisional Hospital. One died at the hospital. The injured are being treated at the hospital,” said a source. Several people, including the auto driver, have been referred to Calcutta.

The incident sparked off angry protest against rash driving. As police arrived, the mob shouted at the law enforcers for their failure to rein in rash driving in the area, said an eyewitness.

“Marisda police rushed to handle the situation, following which enraged residents started beating the cops. Outnumbered by the mob, a policeman jumped to the side of the road to save his A police car broke down and was set on fire,” said the eyewitness.

A large force from Marihda police station, joined by cops from Contai, rushed to the spot to bring it under control. They were also joined by the RAF. Sources said cops had to lathicharge the mob and only then they managed to resume traffic on the highway shortly before 10am.

Contai subdivisional police officer Somnath Saha said: “One person was killed in the accident. And a police vehicle was set on fire. A case has been registered and an investigation is underway. A search has been launched to nab the accused.”

Several Digha-bound tourists reportedly had to return to Calcutta as a result of the accident.