Six Killed, Four Critical As Speeding Bus Hits Auto In Odisha’s Ganjam
The impact of the collision was so severe that three persons reportedly died on the spot: Reports
BHUBANESWAR: At least six persons were killed and four others sustained critical injuries after a speeding bus rammed into an auto-rickshaw near Ladakapalli Chhak under the Purushottampur police limits in Odisha’s Ganjam district on Friday.
According to reports, around 10 members of a family were travelling in the auto-rickshaw to the famous Maa Singhasini shrine when the tragic mishap occurred. Eyewitnesses said the speeding bus hit the auto-rickshaw from behind and allegedly dragged it for some distance, leaving the vehicle completely mangled.
The impact of the collision was so severe that three persons reportedly died on the spot. The remaining seven injured passengers were immediately rescued by locals and police personnel and rushed to Kodala Medical for treatment. However, doctors declared three more victims dead on arrival, taking the death toll to six.
Sources said the condition of the four surviving victims remains critical. They were later shifted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital for advanced treatment.
Soon after the accident, the bus driver allegedly fled the scene along with the vehicle. A joint team of Purushottampur and Kodala police reached the spot and launched an investigation into the incident. Efforts are underway to trace the absconding driver and identify the bus involved in the fatal mishap.
The incident triggered panic and tension in the area as a large number of locals gathered at the accident site following the tragedy.
Meanwhile, Mohan Charan Majhi expressed grief over the loss of lives and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh each for the next of kin of the deceased.