Soro: In a tragic mishap, at least three persons died following a devastating road accident in Soro in Odisha's Balasore district on Sunday night. The incident took place on National Highway 16 near Dahisada, in front of Modern Hotel under the jurisdiction of Soro police station late in the night.
According to preliminary information, a truck bearing registration number JH 05 EF 2954 had broken down and was stationary on the roadside when another truck - numbered UP 82 T 3888, ad traveling from Balasore towards Soro at the time - crashed violently into the rear of the parked vehicle. It is still being ascertained if poor visibility, high speed, or lack of adequate warning signals caused the accident.
The impact of the collision was severe, leaving the front portion of the moving truck completely mangled. Three individuals inside the vehicle were trapped in the wreckage, unable to escape due to the extent of the damage.
On receiving the alert, personnel from the Soro Fire Services promptly reached the accident site and carried out a challenging rescue operation, using a gas cutter to slice through the twisted metal and extricate the victims. The injured individuals were immediately rushed to Soro Medical in a National Highway ambulance.
However, despite the swift response and rescue efforts, doctors at the hospital declared all three victims dead upon arrival, indicating the seriousness of the injuries sustained in the crash.
Poor visibility suspected, police begin probe
Following the incident, Soro police arrived at both the accident site and the hospital. The authorities have seized the two trucks involved and initiated a formal investigation to determine the exact cause of the accident. The bodies of the deceased have been kept at Soro Medical for post-mortem examination.
The incident underscores persistent concerns about safety on busy highways, particularly at night when reduced visibility and poorly marked stationary vehicles can greatly increase the risk of accidents.