Balasore/Kendrapada: A Class X student, who was unwell for three days, died hours before he was to appear for his board exam in Balasore district on Friday. Elsewhere, 12 Class X students were injured and a 45-year-old man died Kendrapada district when the vehicle that was taking the students to the exam centre overturned after hitting a cyclist and plunged into a dry creek.
Chandrasekhar Majhi (15), a resident of Baripada village and a student at Udaya Narayan Government High School, Aruhabad, in Balasore district had been unwell for three days after having food at a community feast.
His condition worsened, leading to hospitalisation at a private clinic in Soro on Thursday. Despite medical intervention his stomach pain persisted. On Friday, while his mother was helping him get ready for the exam centre at Kalyani High School, Majhi collapsed soon after taking bath. His family rushed him to the Soro govt hospital where doctors declared him dead on arrival.
In Kendrapada district, the accident occurred when students of Baghamari Vivekananda High School of Talachua village were travelling to the exam centre at Naga Narayana High School in Khamarasahi village, some 7km away. Police believe the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle, causing it to hit the cyclist and overturn. The deceased was identified as Subrat Mandal of Talachua village.
Following the accident, the driver fled the scene, leaving the students trapped inside the vehicle. Locals helped to rescue the students and take them to the hospital.
The students appeared for the exam after receiving primary treatment. “We are investigating the case,” said Sasmita Sahoo, IIC of Talachua marine police station.