Man killed, friend injured after bike falls off bridge in Odisha's Gajapati

One dead while another person injured after a bike plunged nearly 25 feet from a bridge near Mahendragarh under R. Udayagiri police station limits in Odisha’s Gajapati district on Saturday night.

The deceased has been identified as Kureshu Dalai of Lalsahi under Randiva panchayat. He was travelling with a pillion rider from Mahendragarh towards Randiva when the accident occurred.

Accident On Bridge Near Mahendragarh

According to reports, the motorcycle lost balance near Mahendragarh and fell off the bridge. The impact of the fall proved fatal for the rider, while the pillion rider sustained minor injuries. Sources said the pillion rider did not fall off the bridge, which may have reduced the severity of injuries.

Local accounts suggest that dense fog prevailed in the area at the time of the accident, significantly reducing visibility. The bridge is located near a turning and reportedly does not have adequate safety walls, which may have contributed to the mishap under low-visibility conditions.

Rescue Operation By Fire Services

After receiving information, personnel from the R. Udayagiri Fire Department rushed to the spot and launched a rescue operation. Fire services teams conducted a search and rescued Kureshu Dalai from the water below the bridge. However, he succumbed to his injuries due to the severe impact of the fall.

The rescue operation reportedly took nearly an hour, as low visibility during the night and water currents posed challenges for the rescuers. The motorcycle was later recovered from the spot.

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Police Begin Investigation

Following the recovery operation, police reached the scene and initiated an investigation into the circumstances leading to the accident. Further inquiry is under way to ascertain the exact cause of the mishap.