An oil-laden truck plunged nearly 80 feet into a gorge at Langalapakhana Ghat near Baipariguda on National Highway 326 on Sunday, leaving the driver critically injured.
The vehicle was traveling from Jaypore toward Malkangiri when the accident occurred.
Local residents rushed to help and shifted the injured driver to Baipariguda Medical Centre. Doctors later referred him to Jaypore District Hospital as his condition worsened. Police from Baipariguda reached the site and began an investigation into the cause of the crash.
Witnesses said the truck lost balance while navigating a sharp curve on the ghat section. Despite repeated repairs to the stretch following earlier accidents, the area remains prone to mishaps. The damaged road surface and steep gradient have made it one of the most dangerous points on NH-326.
The truck, carrying oil barrels, overturned after slipping off the edge and rolling down the slope. Locals reported hearing a loud crash before rushing to the scene. The vehicle sustained severe damage, and recovery operations continued late into the evening.
Authorities are assessing the condition of the road and considering additional safety measures to prevent future accidents. The incident has renewed calls for urgent road maintenance and stricter monitoring of heavy vehicles on the route.
