A major road accident was reported in Odisha’s capital Bhubaneswar early Monday after a car crashed through a barricade on the Shishu Bhavan overbridge and plunged down from the flyover, narrowly missing residents of nearby houses.
The incident occurred around 5:30 am under the jurisdiction of the Capital Police Station. Preliminary information suggests that the car lost control while moving on the overbridge, rammed into the roadside barricade, and fell from a significant height.
After hitting a tree beneath the flyover, the vehicle was flung onto the roof of a nearby house with an asbestos structure, triggering panic among residents. The impact caused extensive damage to the car and public infrastructure, including the breaking of nearly a 10-foot stretch of the road barricade.
The driver survived the crash and was rescued safely from the severely damaged vehicle. Police confirmed that no loss of life was reported in the incident, adding that the deployment of airbags may have reduced the severity of injuries.
Local residents recounted harrowing moments following the accident. A resident whose house was struck said the loud crash woke people from sleep. He alleged that the driver appeared heavily intoxicated at the time of rescue. Bricks dislodged during the impact reportedly injured a youth while he was asleep, and another family member sustained injuries while rushing out of the house. An elderly paralysed woman was also briefly trapped as the vehicle blocked the entrance to her home.
Police personnel rushed to the spot soon after receiving information and launched an investigation. Preliminary findings indicate that the driver may have been under the influence of alcohol. Traffic movement in the area was temporarily disrupted but was restored later. Further investigation is underway.
