Road Accident / Car Plunges Into Birupa River Near Jagatpur in Cuttack; One Missing
·4 months ago·2 min read
Key Points
- A speeding car plunged into the Birupa River near Jagatpur, triggering a major rescue operation.
- One occupant was rescued; another is feared trapped inside the submerged vehicle.
- Strong currents and poor visibility are slowing down efforts by Fire Services, ODRAF and scuba divers.
Cuttack, Dec 3: A major accident near Jagatpur in Cuttack triggered an intense rescue operation on Wednesday after a speeding car lost control and plunged into the Birupa River near Panda Sahi, a source said.
While one occupant was pulled out alive, another person is still feared trapped inside the submerged vehicle, the source informed.
The missing person is identified as Udit Sahu from Lingipur area of Bhubaneswar.
According to eyewitnesses, the car was travelling at high speed when the driver suddenly applied brakes, causing the vehicle to skid, lose balance and crash into the river. The depth of the river at the accident spot has slowed down rescue efforts, officials said.
Fire Services personnel, ODRAF teams and their scuba divers are currently engaged in the rescue operation. Strong currents and poor underwater visibility have made the mission challenging. Officials confirmed that the rescued person is a resident of Lingipur in Bhubaneswar.
Also Read: This Is Why You Should Never Offer Water to Road Accident Victims Even If They Beg for a Sip
Despite hours of effort, divers have not yet been able to reach the second occupant, who is believed to be stuck inside the car. Heavy equipment has also been deployed to trace the exact location of the submerged vehicle.
This incident has once again highlighted Odisha’s worrying road-safety record. According to the State Transport Authority’s recent data, Odisha reported more than 5,500 road accident deaths in 2023, ranking among the states with the highest fatality rates in the country. Overspeeding continues to be the single-largest cause of crashes, accounting for over 60 per cent of all accident-related deaths in the state. Cuttack and Khurda remain among the top districts reporting frequent high-impact road mishaps.
Local residents at Jagatpur said the riverside stretch has witnessed several accidents in recent months and called for stronger safety measures, including guard railings and better lighting.
Rescue teams said operations would continue till the missing occupant is located and brought out.
While one occupant was pulled out alive, another person is still feared trapped inside the submerged vehicle, the source informed.
The missing person is identified as Udit Sahu from Lingipur area of Bhubaneswar.
According to eyewitnesses, the car was travelling at high speed when the driver suddenly applied brakes, causing the vehicle to skid, lose balance and crash into the river. The depth of the river at the accident spot has slowed down rescue efforts, officials said.
Fire Services personnel, ODRAF teams and their scuba divers are currently engaged in the rescue operation. Strong currents and poor underwater visibility have made the mission challenging. Officials confirmed that the rescued person is a resident of Lingipur in Bhubaneswar.
Also Read: This Is Why You Should Never Offer Water to Road Accident Victims Even If They Beg for a Sip
Despite hours of effort, divers have not yet been able to reach the second occupant, who is believed to be stuck inside the car. Heavy equipment has also been deployed to trace the exact location of the submerged vehicle.
This incident has once again highlighted Odisha’s worrying road-safety record. According to the State Transport Authority’s recent data, Odisha reported more than 5,500 road accident deaths in 2023, ranking among the states with the highest fatality rates in the country. Overspeeding continues to be the single-largest cause of crashes, accounting for over 60 per cent of all accident-related deaths in the state. Cuttack and Khurda remain among the top districts reporting frequent high-impact road mishaps.
Local residents at Jagatpur said the riverside stretch has witnessed several accidents in recent months and called for stronger safety measures, including guard railings and better lighting.
Rescue teams said operations would continue till the missing occupant is located and brought out.
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