Jajpur: A motorcyclist died and a female cop sustained injuries as a gas tanker rammed a police van in Odisha’s Jajpur district on Monday night.
The accident occurred on NH 16 near Sathipur-Brajanagar intersection under Panikoili police limits while a routine check was underway. The deceased has been identified as Ranjan Kumar Jena, a resident of Madhapur area, and the injured police officer as Sulochana Behera.
According to sources, the gas tanker en route to Cuttack from Balasore veered off the road and crashed into the a police patrol vehicle. Such was the impact of the collision that Jena, who had parked his two-wheeler and was talking to the police personnel, died on the spot.
An eyewitness said that the gas truck took a sharp left turn after a vehicle braked and hit the police patrol vehicle.
Tension prevailed in the area following the accident, leading disruption in the traffic flow, as family members alleged that delay in treatment led to the death of the motorcyclist.
Meanwhile, police have seized the gas tanker and taken its driver into custody. Further investigation is underway.