8 injured, 3 critical as pickup van crashes into tree in Odisha's Cuttack

In a distressing incident near Kakhadi Chhak in Cuttack district along the Purunakatak–Sambalpur road, a pickup van carrying participants to an immersion programme rammed into a roadside tree, leaving eight people injured. The group was on its way to Cuttack to perform the ‘Singha Baja’, a traditional musical ensemble featured in festive processions.

Preliminary reports suggest around 40 people were travelling in two pickup vans from Sambalpur. The mishap occurred when the front tyre of one vehicle burst, causing the driver to lose control. The van swerved off the road and hit a tree, injuring eight passengers.

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Injured Shifted for Treatment

All injured individuals were promptly admitted to the Berhampur Community Health Centre. Of the eight, three sustained critical injuries and have since been shifted to Cuttack for advanced medical treatment. The victims are reported to be residents of the Sambalpur region, and their condition is being closely monitored.

Spotlight on Deteriorating Road Safety

This incident has once again drawn attention to the deteriorating safety conditions on the road connecting Purunakatak and Sambalpur, which has increasingly become a hotspot for road accidents. Local residents and commuters have voiced concerns over the frequency of mishaps along this stretch, citing poor road maintenance and a lack of safety measures.

Another Tragedy in Athagarh

Just a day prior, a tragic accident occurred in Athagarh, where a woman fell from a moving vehicle while it was crossing over road humps. She was subsequently run over by a Hyva truck, resulting in a fatality that has further intensified calls for urgent road safety interventions.

Authorities Yet To Respond

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Authorities are yet to issue an official statement regarding the Kakhadi Chhak accident, but the recurring nature of such incidents has underscored the pressing need for infrastructural upgrades and stricter enforcement of vehicular safety norms across the region.