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BHADRAK, India — October 15, 2023 — A high-speed car crash in the town of Bhadrak, Odisha, left at least four people critically injured on Sunday, according to local police. The incident occurred when a speeding car struck an auto-rickshaw before losing control and crashing into a road divider.
The accident took place on the busy NH-16 highway near the Bhadrak bypass around 3:30 p.m. local time. Witnesses reported that the car, a white sedan, was traveling at an excessive speed when it rear-ended the auto-rickshaw, which was carrying passengers. The impact sent the auto-rickshaw spinning, while the car careened across several lanes before hitting the concrete divider.
“The car was going very fast. It hit the auto from behind, and then the driver lost control. We saw the car flip after hitting the divider,” said Rajesh Mohanty, a shopkeeper who witnessed the crash. “People rushed to help, but the victims were unconscious.”
Emergency services arrived within minutes, and the injured were rushed to the District Headquarters Hospital in Bhadrak. Hospital officials confirmed that all four victims are in critical condition, with multiple fractures and head injuries. Two of them have been moved to the intensive care unit. The identities of the victims have not been released pending family notification.
Police have registered a case and are investigating the cause of the accident. Preliminary reports suggest that excessive speed and possibly driver negligence were contributing factors. “We are checking CCTV footage from the area and interviewing witnesses. The driver of the car is among the injured, so we will record his statement once he is stable,” said Inspector Sanjay Panda of Bhadrak Traffic Police.
Road accidents are a persistent issue on Indian highways, especially in Odisha. According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, over 11,000 people died in road accidents in Odisha in 2022, ranking it among the top states for road fatalities. Speeding, lack of proper lane discipline, and poor road infrastructure are often cited as major causes.
Local residents have long complained about the dangerous stretch of NH-16 near the Bhadrak bypass. “There are no speed breakers, and the road is wide, so drivers tend to speed. We have seen many accidents here,” said Sushanta Das, a local activist. “The authorities should install speed cameras and rumble strips to prevent such incidents.”
The Bhadrak Municipal Corporation has yet to comment on the accident. However, the district administration has announced a compensation of ₹50,000 for each victim’s family. “We are providing immediate relief and will ensure the best possible medical treatment,” said District Magistrate Anil Kumar Samal.
Meanwhile, traffic on NH-16 was disrupted for nearly two hours as police cleared the wreckage. The auto-rickshaw, a common mode of transport in the region, was completely destroyed. The car was also badly damaged, with its front end crushed against the divider.
In a related development, road safety experts have called for stricter enforcement of traffic laws in Odisha. “Accidents like this are preventable. We need a combination of better engineering, enforcement, and education. Speed limits must be strictly enforced, and drivers should be penalized for reckless behavior,” said Dr. Ravi Shankar, a transportation researcher at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur.
As of Monday morning, three of the four injured remain in critical condition but are stable. The hospital has set up a special team to monitor their progress. The fourth victim, who suffered a severe head injury, is undergoing surgery.
This incident serves as a grim reminder of the dangers of speeding on Indian roads. With more vehicles taking to the highways each year, authorities are under pressure to implement effective safety measures. The Bhadrak police have urged drivers to adhere to speed limits and avoid reckless driving.
The investigation is ongoing, and further updates are expected once the driver’s statement is recorded. The families of the victims are being provided with counseling and support.
(Additional reporting by local correspondents in Bhadrak.)
