Sixteen people were killed and more than 30 others critically injured when a bus carrying them fell off a bridge in Odisha’s Angul district today. The bus fell off the bridge from a height of 50 feet.
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While some injured persons were being shifted to the SCB Medical College and Hospital at Cuttack, some others were taken to the district headquarters hospital at Angul. The passenger bus was on its way from Boudh to Athmallick, when the accident took place at about 0930 hours.
Director General of Police K.B. Singh said the injured have been admitted in different hospitals.
“The driver has fled”. Special medical teams and fire personnel have rushed to spot to give first-aid and expedite the rescue act.
The death-toll in the accident is likely to increase even as Angul district administration is busy shifting accident victims to nearby hospitals. According to local eyewitnesses, the driver was talking over his mobile phone while crossing the bridge. A bicycle suddenly came in front of the vehicle following which the driver steered the bus towards the edge of the bridge in a bid to save the cycle rider. Mr Patnaik also directed the Angul district Collector and the Superintendent of Police to rush to the spot and supervise the rescue operation.
“This is a tragic incident”.
“A probe has been ordered into the mishap”, the official said.
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Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced free treatment to the injured.
