Kandhamal, Jan 25: A major accident was narrowly averted at the popular tourist spot Lovers’ Point in Daringbadi on Saturday evening when a tourist’s car rolled down into a gorge and got stuck after colliding with a tree.


According to eyewitnesses, the vehicle lost control near the Dudubada river gorge and skidded downwards. The car came to a halt after hitting a tree, preventing it from plunging deeper into the valley.


A woman tourist inside the car was trapped and had to be rescued.


On being informed, local residents, fire service personnel, and police rushed to the scene and successfully pulled her out.


Since the accident site lies deep inside the forest, the fire department used lights to carry out the rescue operation late into the night. The car was eventually retrieved.


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Residents expressed concern that despite heavy tourist footfall, Lovers’ Point lacks proper parking facilities and safety measures such as guard walls or protective barriers. They warned that without such safeguards, similar incidents could lead to major tragedies.


Locals have urged the administration to immediately install guard walls and strengthen safety arrangements for visitors.