Keonjhar: At least three persons were killed and 12 others were injured in a series of accidents that took place on National Highway-49 under Sadar police limits of Keonjhar district. The deadly mishap occurred after a speeding trailer truck ploughed into several bikes, cars and auto rickshaws plying on the NH, Wednesday. The deceased were identified as Kusa Behera, 36, of Upper Kaipur area under Town police limits and Khageswar Behera, 28, of the same area. Another deceased, a scrap trader in Nayagarah district, is yet to be identified. While two died on the spot, injured Khageswar succumbed on the way while being rushed to the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack. The rest of the injured were admitted to Keonjhar district headquarters hospital, of whom one was shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital after his health condition deteriorated.
The mishap took place Wednesday at about 11 am in between Thakurdihi and Putulupani Chhak under Sadar police station limits. The mishap occurred when a Kolkata-bound trailer truck from Mumbai first hit a moped killing the rider on the spot. The deceased, a scrap trader in the Nayagarh area, was yet to be identified.
The trailer then collided with a bike killing one more on the spot while rendering another person critical. According to sources, the accident took place when the trailer truck tried to overtake trucks parked in a long queue on the national highway. The vehicle further rammed into two cars and one auto-rickshaw, injuring 12 persons on board. Sadar police station IIC Trinath Sethy said an investigation has been launched after the registration of a case after seizure of the vehicle.
Sources said frequent accidents are happening due to illegal parking of trucks on the NH-49 for loading of minerals. Locals alleged that despite repeated accidents, the district administration and police have failed to take action against the rule violators. The administration is showing a soft corner to the truck drivers leading to the loss of many lives under the wheels, they alleged.
