Daijiworld Media Network - Hebri

Hebri, Oct 3: A truck plunged into a gorge at the second hairpin bend of Agumbe Ghat on the Udupi-Hebri-Thirthahalli National Highway at around 12.30 am on Thursday night.

The driver was trapped inside the truck after it fell into the gorge. Under the leadership of social worker Kucchoor Prabhakar Poojary of Hebri, a crane was brought in and the truck was pulled out of the gorge at around 3.30 am.

The cleaner reportedly jumped out of the truck as it plunged into the gorge and escaped. After the vehicle was lifted, the driver was rescued from inside. Three toes of the driver's right foot were severed in the accident.

Hebri sub-inspector Lohith Kumar and his team were present at the spot and assisted in the rescue operation.

Locals said vehicles have been falling into the gorge at several places along Agumbe Ghat where proper crash barriers are absent. A pickup vehicle had also reportedly fallen into the gorge at the same spot recently.

Kucchoor Prabhakar Poojary has urged the authorities to install proper safety barriers at vulnerable stretches of the ghat to prevent further accidents.