A tragic road accident in Odisha's Sundargarh district claimed the life of a 20-year-old truck driver early Thursday morning. The incident occurred at Ratanasara under Hemgiri police station limits when two trucks collided head-on, causing one of them to catch fire.
Victim Identified
The deceased has been identified as Manish Kumar, a native of Bihar. He was driving a truck laden with iron ore heading towards Raigarh in Chhattisgarh when the collision took place around 4 am. The other truck was traveling from Bankibahal towards Hemgiri to load material.
Fire Engulfs Vehicle
The impact of the collision triggered a massive fire in the Hemgiri-bound truck, trapping the driver inside the cabin. By the time fire services personnel arrived and doused the blaze, the vehicle was almost completely gutted, and Kumar had been charred to death.
Police Investigation Underway
Hemgiri police reached the site to recover the body. The other truck overturned after the crash, and its driver sustained minor injuries. He was admitted to the Hemgiri community health centre for treatment. Police have registered a case and launched an investigation. "We have registered a case and the investigation is underway," said Manoranjan Bisi, IIC of Hemgiri police station.
Road Blockade by Relatives
Tension prevailed in the area as the deceased's relatives and other drivers staged a road blockade, demanding compensation of Rs 12 lakh for Kumar's family. They refused to allow the body to be removed for post-mortem until their demands were met. Police were engaged in negotiations to restore normalcy.
The incident highlights the dangers faced by truck drivers on national highways and the need for better safety measures. Authorities are working to resolve the situation and ensure justice for the victim's family.
