Sambalpur: A truck driver and his assistant had a narrow shave when the bridge over Kharla river they were driving on collapsed suddenly. The accident took place near Kuchinda town in Sambalpur district, Thursday night. The two would have been swept away by the strong river current, had they not been rescued by locals after 10 hours.
The truck was on its way from Kuchinda to Jamankira when the incident took place. Locals rushed to the spot to find the truck hanging precariously on one side of the bridge.
On being informed, police along with fire brigade personnel and a medical team rushed to the spot and rescued the driver and helper. They were immediately shifted to Kuchinda Sub Divisional Hospital. Both had suffered minor abrasions.
It should be stated here, that a similar accident had occurred in December last year in Sambalpur district. Luckily there were no casualties.
Locals complained that lack of proper planning and the use of low quality materials in construction of bridges in Sambalpur district are leading to frequent disasters. They said that unless the contractors who get the orders to build such bridges are not punished, accidents will continue to occur.
Police have launched an investigation trying to ascertain the cause of the accident.
