Rengali: Tension flared after a youth was crushed to death under a truck while two others were seriously injured after the two vehicles were involved in a head-on collision near Rengali bus stand on Sambalpur-Jharsuguda National Highway-10 here in Sambalpur district Sunday.
The deceased was identified as Baldev Deep (21) of Purnabasti under Rengali police limits while the injured were identified as Siba Singh (22) of Kilasama village under Sasan police limits and Rolen Tudu (27) of Purunabasti.
The incident triggered tension amongst locals who staged a road blockade on the highway by placing the deceased’s body on the road. The protesters demanded immediate compensation and free medical expenses for the injured.
On being alerted, Rengali IIC Mihir Panda reached the spot and attempted to pacify the agitators. The blockade continued for hours throwing traffic out of gear. The protest was later called off in the evening after Panda assured that compensation would be provided as per government norms.
Police registered a case and seized the vehicles while the truck driver managed to escape from the spot. An investigation into the incident was launched, Panda said.
Sources said the incident occurred while the three friends on a motorbike were on their way to Rengali from Jharsuguda. Meanwhile, they collided head-on with a truck that was en route to Jharsuguda from Sambalpur.
The three were thrown onto the main road due to the impact of the collision leading to Baldev’s death on the spot. Locals rescued Siba and Rolen and admitted them to VSS Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR) in Burla. They were later shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack as their condition worsened.
Rolen broke his leg and waist while Siba sustained critical injuries on his head, sources said. The deceased’s body was sent for post-mortem and later handed over to family members, sources said. PNN