Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Angul, Oct 25:
In a tragic incident, at least three persons were killed and 36 injured when a bus carrying over 40 passengers skidded off a bridge near Tukuda in Odisha’s Angul district this afternoon.
While two persons died on the spot, another died on his way to the hospital. The biker is among the dead. Over 36 injured persons have been rescued and shifted to the district headquarters hospital at Angul. As many as 18 out of them who were critically injured have been shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital at Cuttack.
The deceased have been identified as Hemanta Sahu-the biker, Janakar Sahu and a woman Marua Behera, local sources said.
According to reports, a private bus ‘Janhamamu’ carrying over 40 passengers travelling from Angul to Athmallick on national highway no. 55 skidded off a bridge over a nullah near Tukuda under Jarapada police station limits, about 20 km from Angul.
The bus fell off the bridge and hit the nullah’s bed plunging about 15-20 ft while trying to save a biker who strayed into the bus's path, reports added.
"We have reports about three deaths and injuries to 36 others. Two persons died on the spot, whereas one died on way to a hospital," said Angul District Collector Anil Kumar Samal.
This is the second such accident in Angul district. On September 9, at least 19 persons were killed and around 25 injured when a bus fell off a bridge.