Khalikote, Feb 11: In the early hours of Wednesday, a trailer loaded with iron rods overturned and plunged nearly 30 feet down a ghat section of National Highway-16 near Khalikote in Odisha’s Ganjam district, leaving the driver critically injured. The incident occurred around 1:00 am when the trailer, en route from Visakhapatnam to Kolkata, reportedly lost control while navigating a sharp curve on the ghat stretch. The vehicle crashed down the slope, sustaining extensive damage.

The driver, identified as 30-year-old Haider Ali from Vaishali district in Bihar, suffered severe injuries, particularly to his waist. He was initially rushed to Khalikote hospital and later transferred to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur as his condition worsened.

According to police officials, the accident appears to have been caused by the trailer losing balance while negotiating the sharp turn. A team of officers arrived at the scene shortly after the accident and launched an investigation into the incident. Authorities have also informed the transport company responsible for the consignment.

The accident temporarily disrupted vehicular traffic on the Khalikote–Bhubaneswar stretch of NH-16, but movement was restored after clearance operations were carried out.