Balasore: The driver of a container truck was charred to death after the vehicle caught fire on National Highway 60 near Laxmannath Toll Plaza under Jaleswar police limits in Odisha’s Balasore district late on Saturday.
The mishap took place around 2.30 am when the driver of the truck en route to Tamil Nadu from West Bengal lost control over the wheels and hit the protection fence of the toll plaza. The vehicle then went up in flames within seconds, trapping him. The fire is said to have originated from the engine and spread to body of the container.
On being informed, Fire Service personnel reached the spot and managed to douse the flames after an hour-long effort. However, the driver could not be rescued. A computer of the toll plaza and the gate was also reduced to ashes.
It is being suspected that the driver might have dozed off, leading to the accident.
Jaleswar IIC Ranjan Sethi said the owner of the container has been informed and a case has been registered.
The highway witnessed massive traffic jam following the mishap as charred remains of the truck blocked the road. Normalcy could be restored at around 5 am after the burnt truck was removed with the help of a crane, sources said
