A tragic road accident claimed the lives of two truck drivers following a head-on collision on National Highway 520 under K. Balang police station limits in Koida, Sundargarh on Friday night. The accident occurred between the Kundurupur and Jamudi toll gates, disrupting traffic movement on the busy highway for several hours.

According to reports, an iron ore-laden truck travelling from the Koida side allegedly suffered brake failure and rammed into a coal-laden truck approaching from the Rajamunda side. The impact of the collision was severe, leaving both vehicles badly mangled. Both drivers sustained fatal injuries and died on the spot.

The exact sequence of events leading to the brake failure was yet to be officially confirmed at the time of reporting. However, initial information indicates that the loss of control of the iron ore-laden truck resulted in the head-on crash.

Fire Services Undertake Prolonged Rescue Operation

The collision was so intense that the drivers were trapped inside the wreckage. Personnel from the Koida Fire Services were deployed to the site and undertook a prolonged rescue operation. It took nearly two hours of continuous effort to retrieve the bodies from the damaged trucks using cutting equipment.

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Following the recovery, the bodies were sent for further legal procedures. The identities of both deceased drivers were yet to be ascertained.