Truck Falls Into River In Madhya Pradesh's Damoh, 2 Killed

A tragic accident occurred in Madhya Pradesh's Damoh district when a truck driver and cleaner were killed after their cement-laden vehicle fell into the Chilhghat River. The incident happened around 1 am on Saturday when the 18-wheeler truck lost control while crossing the river bridge on the Damoh-Katni road.

The truck, carrying cement from Katni to Damoh, crashed through the railing and plunged around 40 feet into the river. The vehicle overturned and got lodged in the river, making it difficult for rescuers to reach the victims. Locals spotted the truck in the water the following morning and alerted the police.

Kumhari police station in-charge Brijesh Pandey said that police suspected that two people could be trapped inside the vehicle. However, strong currents hampered rescue efforts, following which a State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) team was deployed. The large quantity of cement loaded on the truck made it extremely difficult to move the vehicle, and rescuers were also unable to ascertain how many people were inside.

The rescue operation was temporarily halted around 2 pm on Saturday due to the challenging conditions. Three specialised cranes were subsequently brought from Jabalpur by evening, following which the operation resumed. Late on Saturday night, rescuers noticed a hand inside the truck's cabin as the vehicle was slowly moved with the help of cranes.

Using powerful lights, SDRF personnel examined the cabin and spotted two bodies inside. After considerable effort, they extricated the bodies overnight. The deceased truck driver, Abhishek Vanshkar (23), and cleaner, Tulsinath (38), were residents of Vidisha district.

The truck, still heavily loaded with cement, remains stuck in the river and efforts are underway to pull it out. Continuous rainfall in the area over the past three days had caused the river to flow strongly, making the rescue operation particularly challenging.

The incident highlights the importance of ensuring road safety, especially during adverse weather conditions. The authorities must take necessary measures to prevent such accidents in the future.

The accident has also raised concerns about the safety of bridges and roads in the region. The government must conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and take corrective measures to prevent such tragedies.

In conclusion, the tragic accident in Damoh's Chilhghat River has resulted in the loss of two lives, and it is essential for the authorities to take necessary steps to prevent such incidents in the future. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of road safety and the need for continuous efforts to improve it.