Two Seriously Injured as Delhi-Bound Bus Overturns on Odisha Highway

Bhubaneswar: Two passengers sustained serious injuries after a private passenger bus travelling from Bhubaneswar to Delhi overturned near Bombay Chhak on National Highway-18 in Mayurbhanj district late on Monday night. Around 50 passengers were on board when the accident occurred.

According to preliminary reports, the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle, causing the bus to overturn on the highway. The sudden mishap triggered panic among passengers, many of whom found themselves trapped inside the overturned vehicle.

On receiving information, local residents, police personnel and Fire Services teams rushed to the accident site and launched a rescue operation. The rescuers managed to evacuate all the passengers safely from the overturned bus, averting what could otherwise have been a major tragedy.

Two passengers suffered serious injuries and were shifted to Sirsha Hospital for treatment. One of them reportedly sustained a head injury, while the other suffered a fracture. Several other passengers also sustained minor injuries and were provided medical attention.

Although most of the passengers escaped without serious injuries, the accident left many shaken. Following the rescue operation, some passengers reportedly made their own arrangements to continue their journey, while others waited for an alternative bus to be arranged by the transport company.

Meanwhile, the exact circumstances leading to the accident were yet to be established. Although preliminary information suggested that the driver may have lost control of the vehicle, investigators were examining other possible factors, including driver fatigue, drowsiness and a potential mechanical fault.

“This incident has once again brought the issue of passenger safety on long-distance bus routes into focus, particularly the need for adequate driver rest, regular vehicle maintenance and strict adherence to road safety norms. Some passengers of the ill-fated bus said the driver appeared quite fatigued. Investigators must take into account this fact,” said Manoj Das, a local resident.

The overturned bus was subsequently removed from the highway with the help of a crane, while police initiated an investigation to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the accident.