At least two persons, including a woman suffered critical injuries after the car they were travelling in plunged into Taladanda canal in Cuttack on Monday. As per initial reports, the mishap occurred between Matrubhaban-Nayabazar road. Later, in the day one of the male occupant, whose condition was critical, succumbed to his injuries.
Earlier, both the injured have been shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital. The exact reason how the car skidded off the road and plunged into the Taladanda canal is not clear.
Both the occupants of the car were rescued by a team of local residents, fire personnel, and police officers.
“After we came to know about the incident, we immediately rushed to the spot and rescued both the occupants. The car plunged into the canal as there were no safety barricades even though construction work is underway,” said an eye-witness.
Another local resident Ramachandra said, “The car was coming from the opposite side and as the construction work was underway, it skidded off the road and plunged into the canal. The construction agency is responsible for the incident as no safety measure was taken at the construction site.”
Former MLA, Prabhat Biswal said, “It is an unfortunate incident. I will ask the local MLA to convene a meeting with Collector, CMC, drainage division, JICA, and irrigation department to take appropriate measures to prevent such incidents.”