Balasore, Feb 16: Four people, including a six-day-old infant, narrowly escaped tragedy after a truck hit an ambulance on State Highway 57 in Odisha's Balasore district on Monday afternoon. The impact caused the truck to overturn on the roadside, locals said.

According to reports, the mishap occurred near Talabania on State Highway 57 connecting Jaleswar and Chandaneswar this afternoon. The ambulance was carrying a six-day-old infant, the mother, and two other family members who had just been discharged from hospital and were returning home. The collision forced the vehicle off the road and into a roadside ditch.

Soon after the accident, local residents rushed to the scene and rescued the passengers, who were immediately shifted to Jaleswar Hospital for treatment. All four are reported to be out of danger.

The victims were identified as members of Prashant Jena’s family from Kirtania village in Bhograi block. The incident has raised concerns among locals about road safety along the busy highway stretch, where reckless driving is frequently reported.

Also Read: Mystery Deepens in Sarthak Mohapatra's Case as Family Denied Full Access To Ship

After getting information, local police reached the spot, detained the truck driver, and launched an investigation into the incident. Police said further inquiries are underway to determine the cause of the collision.

The accident highlights recurring issues of highway safety in Odisha, where ambulances and emergency vehicles often face risks despite carrying critical patients.