In a tragic mishap, the driver of a container was charred to death while the helper sustained critical burn injuries after the ill-fated vehicle caught fire following a collision with a truck near Kadalipala area under Jamankira police station on NH 53 in Kuchinda on Sunday evening.
The deceased has been identified as Rehman Khan.
According to sources, the mishap took place at around 7.25 pm today when the container and truck collided head-on. The impact of the collision was so intense that both vehicles caught fire.
While the driver of the container was charred to death on the spot, the helper sustained serious burn injuries and is undergoing treatment at Sambalpur District Headquarters Hospital.
Till the last report came in, vehicular movement on the national highway was affected as the flame was yet to be doused, sources informed.