Staff reporter

A 32-year-old woman and her three-year-old daughter were killed in an accident yesterday morning near the Norgay Zam roundabout in Phuentsholing. The incident occurred around 8:30am. when an excavator struck them, resulting in their immediate deaths.

The incident occurred as the mother and child were returning after dropping off  her six-year-old son at Sonamgang Primary School.

The excavator was being operated by an 18-year-old from Lhuentse, employed by a private firm. The driver has been detained, and the vehicle has been impounded as part of the investigation. Authorities found that the driver did not have a driving license, although he tested negative for drugs and alcohol.

The woman, who ran a canteen at the Food Corporation of Bhutan’s warehouse, was from Thimphu. The bodies of the deceased have been handed over to a relative, as the husband was not in a condition to take custody.

Public reaction has been mixed, with some calling for the installation of traffic lights and the construction of more pedestrian bridges, especially at major crossings. Others suggest prohibiting heavy vehicles from operating in town areas during the day.

The Bhutan Construction and Transport Authority said that there was no plan to install traffic lights.

The investigation is underway, and the charges against the driver will be determined once it is completed.

Public concern is growing over the risks posed to commuters and schoolchildren, with calls for immediate action to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The responsibility for allowing heavy vehicles on town roads during peak hours and ensuring the driver has a valid licence is under scrutiny.