Odisha: 12 including 3 women and 2 children killed in head-on bus collision

BHUBANESWAR: At least 12 persons, including seven members of a family, were killed and several others injured in a head-on collision between a private bus and state-owned Odisha State Road Transport Corporation bus in Ganjam district late on Sunday night.

The tragic road mishap reportedly took place near Sanakhemundi College at Digapahandi at around 1 am.

All the injured passengers of the two ill-fated buses were admitted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur.

"We have information about the death of 12 people in the accident while a few injured persons are undergoing treatment at MKCG Medical College and Hospital. A critically injured person has been shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack. All arrangements have been made here for the treatment of the injured persons," informed Ganjam Collector Dibyajyoti Parida.

The deceased included four women, six adult males and two little boys. They were identified as Sibani Pradhan (25), Rupali Pradhan (23), Sugyani Kumari Pradhan (31), Sangita Dakua (32), Litu Nayak (40), Tripati Pradhan (48), Ramesh Pradhan (62), Sanjay Medini Ray (50), Subhendu Pradhan (32), Dibanshu Pradhan (3) and Hardik Pradhan (1).

Seven of the deceased were family members of former Rajya Sabha member Renubala Pradhan.

Speaking to media persons, Berhampur superintendent of police (SP) Saravana Vivek said, "Prima facie, it seems to be a case of head-on collision between two buses at around 1 am. Several passengers of the private bus have been killed and injured in the accident while those in the OSRTC bus have sustained minor injuries."While the OSRTC bus was en-route Bhubaneswar from Rayagada, the private bus was returning from Berhampur, carrying a marriage party from Khandadeuli village in the district, he informed.

The SP further said that Digapahandi police and fire services personnel immediately rushed to the spot and rescued several passengers.

“The actual reason behind the accident is still unclear. Investigation is on to find out how the mishap occurred," he added.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced Rs 3 lakh ex-gratia each to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 30,000 for each injured person from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF).

President Droupadi Murmu expressed her grief over the serious accident and offered her condolences to the family members of the deceased.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his condolences to the bereaved members of the deceased and announced Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia to the next of kin of the deceased.

Home minister Amit Shah also offered his condolences to the bereaved members of the accident victims.

Kedar Pradhan, the driver of the private bus who is currently undergoing treatment at MKCG Hospital, said the accident occurred as the OSRTC bus driver was running the vehicle with the headlights on.

“I was driving at a speed of around 20 km per hour. The OSRTC bus was coming from the opposite side at a high speed and did not respond to my signal to light the dipper lamp. Before I could understand anything, the OSRTC bus hit us head-on,” said Pradhan.