A speeding truck mowed down three young men on a motorcycle and overturned near Nuneera village in Korba’s Pali police station area on Wednesday morning. The accident triggered violent protests and a road blockade by angry villagers. The victims, all in their twenties, died on the spot. Their bodies remained trapped under the overturned vehicle for nearly an hour before a hydra machine could be arranged to lift the truck.
Local residents who witnessed the crash or arrived moments later described a scene of utter horror. The villagers revealed that the truck was clearly travelling at breakneck speed when the driver lost control. It first hit the motorcycle and then ran over the three riders before flipping over, spilling coal all over the road.
“The way the truck was going, it was obvious something bad would happen. These heavy vehicles don’t care about anyone on the road. The three didn’t even get a second to react,” said a shopkeeper from a nearby village who reached the spot hearing the deafening sound of the crash.
As news spread, people from surrounding areas began gathering at the site. What started as a crowd of curious onlookers soon turned into an agitated mob. Villagers alleged that such accidents keep happening because of reckless driving and demanded immediate arrest of the truck driver, who fled the scene after the incident.
The irate locals blocked both sides of the road which lead to long traffic jams. Vehicles could be seen lined up for kilometres as commuters were left stranded. Police from Pali station reached the spot and tried to calm the crowd. They assured the locals of that strict action would be taken.
It took considerable effort from the police to convince people to allow the rescue operation. A hydra machine was called in to lift the truck, and after much struggle, the bodies were finally pulled out. The motorcycle was completely mangled, beyond recognition.
One of the deceased was identified as Om Prakash, son of Mangalu Singh Gond, a resident of Potapani village under Pali police station. Officials said that they were trying to ascertain the identity of the other two victims. The truck driver is absconding, and police have registered a case and launched a search for him.
The incident has left the families shattered. Relatives of the victims reached the spot and their wails could be heard from a distance. Local residents have expressed solidarity with the families and demanded compensation from the government.
It is noteworthy that this is not the first time such an accident has occurred on this stretch. Locals said that heavy vehicles, particularly coal laden trucks, frequently speed through the area, and accidents have become a routine affair. They urged the administration to install speed breakers and enforce traffic rules more strictly.
In a separate incident earlier in the day, at least 10 children were injured as a school van taking them to school overturned in neighbouring Janjgir-Champa district. The van, reportedly being driven by the school principal in the absence of the regular driver, collided with a stationary tractor and flipped over. The injured children and a woman teacher were rushed to the district hospital. Police said they are investigating the matter.