G. Udayagiri: Body of a helper was retrieved while the vehicle driver remains missing after a 14-wheeler iron-rod laden truck plunged 100-feet down in Kalinga ghat here in Kandhamal district Monday evening.
While the body of the helper of the vehicle has been found, police are yet to trace the driver. It is not ascertained whether the driver is dead or alive, police said.
The incident occurred while the vehicle carrying iron-rods was en route to Bhanjanagar from Raipur. The vehicle plunged into the gorge after the driver lost balance on the wheels of the overloaded vehicle, police said.
While the engine portion of the vehicle is on the ghat, the upper portion is completely devastated and gone down 100 feet in the gorge.
“Efforts are on to trace the missing driver. We cannot confirm if he is dead or alive,” G. Udayagiri IIC Balakrushna Kanhar said adding that the police was trying to gather identities.
A case of unnatural death was registered in this connection and a further probe was on.
PNN