3 killed in high-speed truck crash on NH-30

Raipur: Three people were killed in a road accident in the wee hours on Thursday in Chhattisgarh's Kanker district after two trucks collided head-on on National Highway-30 near Ratesara village.

The crash occurred around 3 am, and the impact was so severe that both trucks were badly mangled. One of the drivers had to be extricated by cutting open the cabin, police said.

The dead include both truck drivers and another person who was travelling in one of the vehicles. Two of the victims were reportedly in the same truck.

The deceased were identified as Hori Lal Sahu, 35, and Ajay Sahu, 36, both residents of Marta in Balodabazar district. The identity of the third victim was being ascertained, police said.

The accident brought traffic on the busy highway to a standstill, triggering long queues on both sides. Police said vehicular movement remained disrupted for about four hours as teams worked to clear the wreckage and restore traffic.

According to officials, highway patrolling staff and the Charama police rushed to the spot soon after receiving information. excavator machines and other heavy equipment were pressed into service to remove the damaged trucks from the carriageway and reopen the route. Preliminary inputs suggest both vehicles were moving at a high speed when they crashed head-on, though the exact cause is under investigation. Police said they have initiated legal proceedings and are verifying the victims' details as part of the inquiry.