Sundargarh: One died and over 30 persons sustained injuries when a pickup van they were travelling in lost its balance and crashed into a tree at Kelo Square under Bonai police station in Sundargarh district on Monday.
According to reports, the pickup vehicle was carrying around 30-40 labourers, including women and elderly persons, from Kendrikala and Pandurisila villages. They were returning from a tree plantation programme organised by the Forest Department at Kelo village. The vehicle lost its balance and collided with a tree, overturning and causing severe injuries to the passengers. As a result, a woman succumbed to her injuries, while over 30 others sustained serious wounds.
The injured were rushed to Bonai Hospital, where they received primary treatment before being referred to Rourkela Government Hospital for further care.
The family members of the injured have meanwhile expressed their discontentment, as no forest department officials arrived at the scene to take stock of the situation.
