Chhattisgarh Road Tragedy: Six Dead, Seven Injured in Balod Accident
Tragic road accident in Balod district, Chhattisgarh, claims six lives and injures seven. Authorities launch search for the accused truck driver. Read the full report.
A horrific road accident near Chourhapawad on the Bhanupratappur-Dallirajhara road claims six lives and leaves seven injured. Authorities intensify search for the absconding truck driver.
A Tragic Morning in Balod
In a heart-wrenching incident, six people lost their lives, and seven others sustained injuries in a severe road accident in Balod district of Chhattisgarh. The mishap occurred early this morning near Chourhapawad, along the Bhanupratappur-Dallirajhara road, under the jurisdiction of the Dondi Police Station.
According to Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Ashok Joshi, the accident involved a head-on collision between a truck and an SUV. The truck, traveling at high speed, collided with the SUV coming from the opposite direction, leading to devastating consequences.
Details of the Accident
The SUV, which was carrying 13 people, bore the brunt of the collision. Six individuals, including the driver, succumbed to their injuries on the spot. The remaining seven passengers were rushed to Rajnandgaon Medical College for urgent medical treatment. Medical staff at the hospital are working tirelessly to stabilize the injured, with some reportedly in critical condition.
Eyewitness accounts suggest that the truck driver attempted to overtake another vehicle when the accident occurred. The impact was so severe that the SUV was completely mangled, leaving rescue teams struggling to extricate the victims from the wreckage.
Search for the Accused Driver
Following the accident, the truck driver abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene. Authorities have launched an extensive manhunt to locate the accused. ASP Ashok Joshi confirmed that the police have identified the truck’s registration details and are working on leads to track down the driver.
“The driver’s recklessness has cost innocent lives. We are leaving no stone unturned in bringing the culprit to justice,” Joshi stated, urging witnesses to come forward with any information that might aid the investigation.
A Community in Mourning
The tragic incident has left the local community in shock and grief. Families of the victims are struggling to come to terms with the loss of their loved ones. Many gathered at the accident site and the hospital, expressing anguish over the recurring road safety issues in the area.
Local residents have long complained about the dangerous conditions on the Bhanupratappur-Dallirajhara road. Frequent accidents on this stretch have raised concerns over the lack of proper signage, poor road maintenance, and reckless driving practices.
Authorities Urge Caution
The Chhattisgarh Road Safety Department has once again urged motorists to exercise caution while driving, especially on highways prone to accidents. Authorities emphasized the need for adhering to speed limits and avoiding overtaking maneuvers on narrow or busy roads.
In light of the incident, the government is considering measures to enhance road safety in the region, including better surveillance, improved infrastructure, and stricter enforcement of traffic laws.
Grim Statistics Highlight Road Safety Concerns
This accident adds to the grim statistics of road fatalities in India, which continues to report one of the highest numbers of road-related deaths globally. According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, over 150,000 lives are lost in road accidents annually in the country.
The Bhanupratappur-Dallirajhara road, in particular, has been flagged as a high-risk zone. Frequent accidents on this route underscore the urgent need for comprehensive safety measures to prevent further tragedies.
