Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Cuttack, Oct 25:

With three more succumbing to their injuries, the death toll in the bus accident at Tukuda in Odisha’s Angul district today has mounted to six.

tukuda-bus-accident

Three out of the 32 critically injured shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital here have died, reports said.

According to reports two were received dead at the hospital and another succumbed while undergoing treatment at the hospital here.

Two of those who succumbed have been identified as Hitesh Sahu and Pravati Pradhan, while the identity of the other remains to be established, reports added.

Sources said 36 others are undergoing treatment at the district headquarters hospital at Angul.

The bus which had a seating capacity of 35 with 11 standing was overloaded and was carrying 71 passengers, local sources in Angul said.

Notably, a private bus ‘Janhamamu’ travelling from Angul to Athmallik skidded off a bridge over a nullah near Tukuda under Jarapada police station limits just 20 km from the district headquarters town of Angul today in afternoon at around 2.30 PM.

The bus hit the nullah’s bed 15-20 ft below after skidding off while trying to save a biker who allegedly strayed in front of the ill-fated bus.

Three persons were killed on the spot which included the bike rider.

A Helpline number 9439981888 has been provided at the Angul district headquarters hospital for providing information about the dead and injured.