A tractor driver died after his vehicle overturned and plunged into the Padma River while ploughing farmland in Charbhadrasan upazila of Faridpur.

The deceased was identified as Joy Biswas, 20, son of Golam Ali Biswas of Shahbazpur village in Shailkupa upazila of Jhenaidah district.

His body was recovered around 11am on Friday from the riverbank area of Balurghat village under Char Jhaukanda union with the assistance of the Fire Service, police and local residents said.

According to police and local sources, Joy was employed as the driver of a TAFE tractor owned by Mohammad Ali, a resident of Balurghat village. He had been ploughing agricultural land in the area for the past two days.

The accident occurred around 1am on Thursday night while Joy was cultivating a field near the Padma River embankment. The tractor reportedly went out of control and overturned into the river, leaving the driver trapped underneath.

As no one else was present at the scene at the time, the incident went unnoticed until Friday morning when locals spotted parts of the tractor, including a wheel, floating in the river and informed police.

A team from Charbhadrasan Fire Service launched a rescue operation and recovered Joy's body.

Wahidul Islam, station officer of Charbhadrasan Fire Service, said the tractor had partially sunk near the riverbank.

“We suspect the driver may have fallen asleep or that a portion of the riverbank collapsed, causing the accident,” he said.

Confirming the incident, Sub-Inspector Mozammel Haque Biswas of Charbhadrasan Police Station said an inquest report had been prepared and the victim’s family had been informed.

Further legal steps will be taken after discussions with the family members, he added.