Bhubaneswar: At least five persons sustained injuries in a series mishap at Palasuni Square here Thursday, when a speeding truck hit as many as three vehicles on Bhubaneswar-Cuttack stretch of National Highway 16. A senior cop at Mancheswar police station said the driver rammed the speeding truck into a moving car, which had three people onboard. A biker and a scooterist also sustained injuries due to the impact of the collision.
On being informed by the locals, the cops rushed to the spot and rescued the victims. The injured victims were soon admitted to Capital Hospital and HiTech Medical College and Hospital, he added.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Traffic, Jayant Dora said the truck was seized soon after the mishap while the damaged vehicles were removed to facilitate smooth traffic. Eyewitnesses said the driver might have failed to apply brakes on time which caused the mishap. Adding to this, several others also said he was using mobile phone while driving, which distracted him to keep an eye on the vehicles in front of him. Irate locals staged a road blockade following the accident, leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded on either side of the National Highway for hours. The cops later placated the locals and restored vehicular movement.
DEBADURLLAV HARICHANDAN, OP