TV
A tanker lost balance and rammed into three houses in Gumma village under Rayagada Sadar police limits on ate Saturday night. The accident took place around 3am while the vehicle was travelling from Tikiri towards Rayagada. One woman died in the incident, while two others, including the driver, were critically injured.
Failed Brakes Caused Accident
A local villager said, “The tanker's brakes failed and rammed into three houses and causing a severe accident. We reached the scene and immediately rescued the trapped driver with other locals. We further transferred him to the local hospital for treatment, and his condition is currently stable. Three houses were damaged in the impact of the accident.”
The mishap claimed the life of Lakshmi Patra, an elderly woman who was sleeping in a thatched house at the time of the crash. Another elderly person was also injured, while the tanker driver, Deepak Kujur, sustained critical injuries and was admitted to the Rayagada DHH.
Protest Erupts Over Compensation
Following the incident, irate villagers staged a protest and blocked NH 326, demanding compensation for the damage and casualties. Locals expressed concern over the rising frequency of such accidents in the region.
Traffic Disrupted, Emergency Response in Action
The blockade has caused severe disruption to vehicular movement, with traffic between Koraput and Rayagada coming to a halt and hundreds of vehicles getting stuck. Meanwhile, local police have reached the site and are trying to de-escalate the situation. Fire department officials are also present at the scene and are assessing the damage further.
