A tragic accident occurred near Guapur Balunkeswar under Balipatna police station limits in Khordha district on Monday when a tractor overturned into a pond, killing its driver.
According to reports, the tractor lost balance and plunged into the water. The engine landed on the driver, pinning him down and preventing escape. It took rescuers nearly three hours to free him from under the heavy engine.
Personnel from the Balipatna Fire Service, assisted by local residents, carried out the rescue operation. The injured driver was rushed to the Balipatna Community Health Centre, where doctors declared him dead.
The deceased has been identified as Soumya Ranjan Kandi, also known as Bipin, a resident of Aloi village under Marthapur Panchayat. Rescuers faced significant difficulty retrieving both the victim and the engine from the deep pond.
A large crowd gathered at the site as grief spread through the locality. Authorities have urged drivers to exercise caution while operating heavy vehicles near water bodies, especially during the monsoon season.
