Balasore: A late-night bus accident on National Highway-16 in Balasore district claimed the lives of four tourists, including a woman from Uttar Pradesh.
The bus, carrying 57 tourists from Uttar Pradesh, overturned near Jaleswar by-pass, rolling 20 feet down the road. The mishap left 23 injured and the condition of 17 passengers is stated to be critical. Seventeen critically injured pilgrims were shifted to Balasore District Headquarters Hospital, while others were admitted to Jaleswar’s JK Bhattacharya Hospital, sources said.
The deceased have been identified as Rajesh Mishra, Santaram Yadav, Kamala Devi Yadav and Rajprasad Yadav.
The tourists were on their way to Puri to visit Lord Jagannath temple when the mishap took place. Initial reports indicate the bus had left from UP on September 18, visiting Bihar and Jharkhand before heading to Puri.
Upon being informed, police with the help of fire brigade officials and locals rescued the pilgrims from the wreckage.
Jaleswar SDPO Dilip Sahoo has, meanwhile, reached the spot and initiated an investigation.
SDPO said, “The bus capsized between 1-1:30 pm near Madhuban dhaba on NH-16. Promptly responding, Jaleswar police rushed to the scene and immediately conducted rescue operations with the help of fire brigade officials, locals and mediapersons. Four including a woman died in the mishap. The deceased have been identified, and their families are being informed. The exact reason behind the mishap is yet to be determined. We suspect the driver may have dozed off, causing the bus to overturn.”
