Bhubaneswar: The death toll in a tragic bus-truck collision near Musabira under Chandiposh police limits in Sundargarh district has risen to four. More than 20 others were also injured in the mishap which occurred on Tuesday night.
According to reports, the accident took place when a private bus travelling from Rourkela to Jajpur collided head-on with a truck coming from the opposite direction near Musabira village. The impact of the collision was severe killing four persons. The deceased include both drivers of the bus, its helper, and the truck driver.
The deceased have been identified as bus driver Manas Ranjan Panda (35), a resident of Mandarkhand village under Nandipur panchayat in Dasarathpur block, Jajpur district. Second bus Niranjan Rout (53) of Purunasahi village under Malikapur panchayat in Dasarathpur block in Jajpur. He was present in the bus cabin during the accident. Shiva Prasad Nayak (52), bus helper, from Bajrapat village under Mangalpur panchayat in Jajpur district. The identity of the truck driver is yet to be confirmed.
Upon being informed, Chandiposh police and fire service personnel reached the spot and carried out rescue operations. A gas cutter had to be used to extricate passengers trapped inside the badly mangled bus.
The injured persons were rushed to Rourkela Government Hospital (RGH) in around 10 ambulances for urgent medical treatment.
An investigation has been initiated to ascertain the exact cause of the accident.
