Bhubaneswar, May 25: The flyover in Bhubaneswar's Khandagiri area witnessed a series of accidents after a goods-laden truck rammed into a Tata Ace vehicle that had arrived to tow away a broken-down pickup van,a source said Monday.

According to the source, the pickup vehicle had developed a mechanical fault and was stranded on the flyover on the intervening night of Sunday and Monday. While a Tata Ace vehicle was attempting to recover it, a speeding truck hit the Tata Ace from behind, severely damaging both vehicles.

The impact was so intense that the Tata Ace climbed onto the divider of the flyover. Soon after the accident, the truck driver fled the scene, the source informed.

The Tata Ace driver and conductor remained trapped inside the mangled vehicle for some time before being rescued by locals and emergency responders.

The mishap led to a massive traffic jam on the flyover, with hundreds of vehicles stranded for nearly half an hour, the source added.

After receiving information, PCR vehicles, police officials from Khandagiri Police Station, Fire Services personnel and traffic police reached the spot and brought the situation under control.

Locals and police jointly rescued the injured and shifted them to AIIMS Bhubaneswar for treatment. The condition of the Tata Ace driver is stated to be critical, while two others sustained injuries.

After the injured were shifted, cranes and a hydra facial machine were used to remove the damaged vehicles from the road and restore traffic movement.

Police have launched an investigation and are examining CCTV footage to trace the absconding truck driver.

Youth Killed In Motorcycle Crash
A youth was killed in a late-night road accident near Rameswar Chhak on the New Jagannath Sadak under Nirakarpur Police Station limits in Khordha district.

According to the source, the accident took place when a motorcycle travelling from the Puri side towards Rameswar Chhak allegedly lost control and crashed into a roadside tree.

The rider died on the spot due to the impact.

Also Read: Truck Rams Auto-Rickshaw Near Pandara Square In Bhubaneswar, Passenger Injured

After receiving information, police reached the scene, recovered the body and seized the damaged motorcycle.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the motorcycle belonged to Trinath Behera, a resident of Kumandala village in the Balugaon area. Police said the deceased youth was reportedly Trinath’s cousin.

The body was sent to the Khordha District Headquarters Hospital for post-mortem examination, while further investigation into the accident is underway.