Balasore, Feb 16: A truck carrying a consignment of ginger plunged off a bridge in Odisha’s Balasore district in the early hours of Monday, with the driver and helper narrowly escaping serious injury.

The accident took place near Mathani Pegarpada under Basta police limits. According to sources, the truck was en route from Assam to Visakhapatnam along National Highway 60 when the mishap occurred.

Preliminary reports indicate that dense fog reduced visibility significantly, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle. The truck subsequently veered off the bridge and fell into the river below. The engine of the vehicle was reportedly submerged in water following the fall.

Local residents rushed to the spot and rescued the driver and helper. Both survived the accident with minor injuries.

On being informed, Basta police reached the scene, seized the vehicle and initiated a detailed investigation into the incident.