A tragic road accident near the Naranpur railway overbridge in Kendujhar district claimed the life of a 49-year-old man, while his wife miraculously survived with injuries.
The deceased has been identified as Yashobanta Dalai (49), a resident of Bada Masinabilla village. Yashobanta was employed as a night watchman at Bada Masinabilla High School.
According to police sources, the incident occurred when Yashobanta, accompanied by his wife as a pillion rider, was riding his motorcycle toward Kendujhar town.
A fast-moving Mahindra Maxx pickup truck (OD 09 AE 8865), coming from the opposite direction, attempted to overtake another vehicle and collided head-on with Yashobanta’s motorcycle on the overbridge.
Following the severe impact, the driver of the pickup truck lost control and crashed into the guardrail on the left side of the road, barely avoiding a severe drop. The collision hurled both Yashobanta and his wife onto the hard pavement, causing his wife to lose consciousness at the scene. Yashobanta’s helmet reportedly dislodged during the impact, resulting in critical head injuries alongside a fractured thigh.
Upon receiving the alert, a local police PCR team rushed to the crash site and transported both victims to the Kendujhar District Headquarters Hospital (DHH). Despite efforts by medical staff, Yashobanta succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment.
The police, in the presence of family members, conducted the post-mortem examination at Kendujhar DHH before handing over the body to the bereaved family for final rites. An investigation into the crash has been initiated.
