According to police, the incident happened around 4:30 a.m. on November 7. A trailer carrying iron rods from Ambikapur to Manendragarh rammed into an oncoming truck. The impact was so severe that the truck’s cabin was completely crushed, trapping the driver and cleaner inside, both of whom died instantly.
Fog and driver drowsiness suspected causes
Eyewitnesses reported dense fog in the area, which had reduced visibility significantly. Investigators suspect the trailer driver may have dozed off briefly, losing control of the vehicle before colliding with the truck. Panic spread immediately after the crash.
Traffic halted; police divert route
Both heavy vehicles were wedged in the middle of the highway, halting all movement along the Ambikapur–Manendragarh road. Police teams led by Kotwali police and Surajpur station in-charge Vimlesh Dubey reached the site and began clearance operations. Heavy vehicles were diverted, while two-wheelers were allowed to pass slowly through the area.
Bodies recovered after hours of effort
Rescue teams struggled for several hours to extract the bodies trapped inside the mangled cabin. Using cutting machines, they managed to retrieve the victims around 10 a.m. The iron rods spilled onto the road were also cleared to reopen traffic.
Victims yet to be identified
Police said the identities of the deceased truck driver and cleaner have not yet been established. The injured trailer driver and cleaner were rushed to the district hospital, where their condition remains critical.
Fog increases accident risk
With falling temperatures in the Surguja division, morning fog has been reducing visibility, increasing the risk of road accidents. Police have urged drivers to use headlights and fog lights and maintain controlled speeds during early hours.
