In a tragic incident on the treacherous Chutupalu Valley stretch in Jharkhand’s Ramgarh district, a container driver’s life ended in flames on Friday. The horrific accident unfolded when the speeding container, en route from Ranchi to Ramgarh, suffered a brake failure while descending the steep incline. Losing control, it slammed into a trailer ahead, igniting a ferocious fire that trapped the driver inside the cabin.
Eyewitnesses recounted the chaos: the collision sparked an immediate blaze, likely from a short circuit or friction, engulfing the cabin within seconds. The driver, pinned between the steering wheel and twisted metal, had no chance to escape as flames consumed the vehicle. By the time local police and fire teams arrived, it was too late—the man had perished in the inferno.
The impact was devastating, mangling the front of the container and scattering debris across the Ranchi-Patna highway. The trailer driver fled the scene, abandoning his vehicle. Traffic ground to a standstill, with a three-kilometer jam snaking in both directions, stranding commuters for hours. Authorities deployed cranes to clear the wreckage, slowly restoring flow on this vital artery.
Police are investigating the brake failure and have yet to identify the victim. This accident underscores persistent safety concerns on hilly terrains, where mechanical failures claim lives all too often. Officials urge stricter vehicle checks and awareness among drivers navigating such perilous routes.