Bhubaneswar: A truck carrying LPG cylinders overturned at Bamphakuda near Phulnakhara on the National Highway No 5 between Cuttack and Bhubaneswar on Saturday.
According to reports, the truck was on its way to Kendrapada from Jatni filling station when the driver lost control over the vehicle near Bamhakuda and it toppled. The incident took place at around 7 am. The truck also rammed over a roadside cabin before hitting an electric pole. Around 300 gas cylinders have been lying scattered on the road following the accident. However, no gas leakage has been reported.
Fortunately, the driver and the helper of the vehicle escaped unhurt. The owner of the cabin is also safe.
“Electric supply in the area has been disrupted due to damage to the pole. Repair work is underway on war footing. Power supply in the area will be restored shortly,” said a staff from the electricity department.
On receiving information, local police reached the spot and started an investigation into the incident.
“Fortunately there was not much traffic on the road due to the weekend shutdown. Otherwise, the consequences could have been severe. Many people would have lost their lives because of the reckless driving,” said an eyewitness.
Earlier on February 18, three men and around 40 cows had been killed after a cattle-laden truck overturned on NH-60 near Basta bypass square in Balasore district.
In a similar incident a week earlier, a mini truck overturned near Kankadaguda chhak in R.Udaygiri area of Gajapati district killing two people and injuring as many as 20 others.