A dramatic incident unfolded on Saturday near the Lotus Resort on the Puri-Konark beach road when a car carrying Cuttack Sadar Block Development Officer (BDO) Pratik Sahu, 33, and his wife, Rashmi Sahu, plunged into the Kushabhadra River at Ramchandi.
The mishap occurred under the jurisdiction of the Chandrabhaga Marine Police Station. The couple had travelled to Konark for a weekend visit. While attempting to park their vehicle, bearing registration number OD05C BI 2357, near the Lotus Resort, the car lost balance and slid into the river. High tide conditions caused the vehicle to become fully submerged, escalating the severity of the situation.
Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene as the car floated in the turbulent waters. Swift action by the local fire services team prevented a potential tragedy, as they successfully retrieved the vehicle from the river.
Pratik Sahu sustained minor injuries and was promptly taken to Konark Primary Hospital for initial treatment before being transferred to Puri DHH for further medical care. Rashmi Sahu, fortunately, escaped unharmed.
The Chandrabhaga Marine Police, led by Officer-in-Charge Pratima Sahu, arrived at the scene and initiated an investigation to determine the cause of the accident.
Preliminary reports suggest that the loss of balance during parking may have been exacerbated by the proximity to the river and the slippery conditions near the bank.
