Sunil Mohan Patnaik
Berhampur
Ina heart-rending road accident near Ladakapalli chowk under Purushottampur police station limits in Ganjam district on Friday, six members of an extended family, including two children, were killed and four others seriously injured after a passenger bus rammed into an auto-rickshaw carrying pilgrims on their way to Maa Singhasani Peetha.
The accident occurred between 7.30 am and 8 am when the bus travelling towards Berhampur allegedly lost control and collided with the auto-rickshaw carrying 10 family members. The impact was so severe that the auto-rickshaw was dragged for some distance before crashing into a roadside tree, eyewitnesses said.
Five persons died on the spot, while another succumbed during treatment at Kodala Community Health Centre. The injured were later shifted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital for treatment.
The deceased were identified as Mali Behera (75), Narasingha Behera (43), Ratani Behera, Lilabati Behera (45), Sneha Behera (10) and Kiran Behera (8).
Police and Fire Service personnel rushed to the spot after being alerted by local residents and launched rescue operations. The bodies were recovered from the mangled auto-rickshaw.
According to eyewitnesses, the bus was moving at around 50 kmph on a comparatively deserted stretch of the road when the mishap took place. After the accident, the driver reportedly drove the bus to Purushottampur police station and surrendered. An investigation into the incident has been initiated.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling and Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena went to MKCG and met the injured persons.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Leader of Opposition in the Odisha Assembly, Naveen Patnaik, expressed grief over the death of people in the accident and wished a speedy recovery of the injured. Majhi announced Rs 4 lakh financial assistance from the CM’s Relief Fund for the next of kin of each deceased.
He also directed officials to ensure proper treatment of the injured and wished them speedy recovery. The tragic incident has cast a pall of gloom over the locality.