Balasore: At least 30 people were seriously injured in a head-on collision between an OSRTC bus and a truck on SH-53 near Ghodaghati in Mayurbhanj district on Monday.
The OSRTC bus was travelling from Shalachua to Thakurmunda when it collided with the truck coming from the opposite direction. The truck, reportedly en route to Vijayawada, is believed to have lost control on the ghat road before crashing into the bus.
Emergency response teams, including the Thakurmunda BDO, tehsildar, Mahuldiha police, and fire department personnel, arrived at the scene to conduct rescue operations. Using excavators, they rescued both drivers — Kshetrimohan Mahant (bus) and Vishal Naik (truck) — who were trapped in the wreckage.
All injured passengers were initially taken to Satkosia primary health centre. Those with critical injuries were later referred to PRM Medical College and Hospital in Baripada for advanced treatment.
Dr. Bijay Kumar Das, additional district medical officer of Mayurbhanj, stated,. “Fifteen of the injured have been shifted to PRM Medical College in Baripada. If necessary, they will be referred to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack for further treatment.”
Police have registered a case and launched an investigation into the incident. Preliminary findings suggest that the truck driver lost balance and veered into the path of the oncoming bus, leading to the collision.