Nongpoh, March 1: A 36-year-old truck driver died in a fatal road accident near the Forest Gate on National Highway-6 in the wee hours of Saturday.
According to the Ri Bhoi Police, the accident occurred around 3 a.m. when a truck loaded with clinker was taking a U-turn at the intersection. While maneuvering, one of the tyres suddenly burst, prompting the driver Mackswell Dkhar to step out to inspect the flat tyre. At that moment, an oil tanker crashed into the stationary truck, fatally injuring the driver.
The tanker driver, believed to have failed to notice the parked truck and its driver fled from the scene after the collision.
Dkhar was rushed to Byrnihat PHC, where the attending medical officer declared him dead. His body was later shifted to the Civil Hospital in Nongpoh for post-mortem examination.
The accident led to a severe traffic jam along NH-6, causing disruptions for several hours. Both vehicles were eventually removed and taken to the Byrnihat Police Outpost as authorities initiated further investigations.
