Truck plunges into gorge, driver killed
Source: The Sangai Express
Senapati, May 12 2022:
A truck driver has been killed while the handyman has gone missing after their truck (NL-07A-3486) ferrying wheat plunged into Likhru River gorge from a dilapidated bridge located between Makhan Tabio and Chakumei in Senapati district.
The driver died on the spot while the handyman went missing as passers-by and fellow drivers rushed to rescue them.
The identity of the driver is still not known and the body has been deposited at JNIMS morgue, informed police sources.
According to a vehicle workshop located near the accident site, the ill-fated truck had moved out after some repairing was done before plunging into the deep gorge.
Another tanker (NL-01L-6929) transporting a liquid chemical skidded off the NH-2 below St Joseph High School, 3 Kms from Tadubi police station.
Fortunately both the driver and handyman of the said tanker escaped with minor injuries.
Amidst heavy torrential rain, a liquid chemical suspected to be formalin was seen leaking from the tanker.
The driver cited brake failure as the cause of the accident.
It may be noted that the specific location of Likhru River bridge has recorded numerous accidents since past many years due to its turning space owing to its worn out condition and failure to install safety side rails on the bridge.
The latest accident has caused an uproar in social media with citizens calling for immediate attention of State PWD Department.
Locals from Chakumei and Makhan areas informed that it is one of the most accident prone areas along Imphal-Dimapur Highway and it has been left totally neglected by the concerned authority.