Accident: Bhubaneswar, (Reporterspen), Feb 13: In a tragic incident, at least 35 pilgrims from Odisha’s Balasore district sustained injuries when the bus they were traveling in met with an accident near Mathani on the Bihar-Uttar Pradesh border late Wednesday night. Among them, three are reported to be in critical condition.
The victims, residents of Chandaneswar village under Bhograi block in Balasore, were on their way to the Prayagraj Maha Kumbh Mela when the accident occurred around 12:50 AM. According to sources, the mishap took place due to the driver reportedly falling asleep at the wheel, causing the bus to crash into a stationary sand-laden dumper truck.
“The driver dozed off while driving, leading to the collision,” said one of the passengers. Following the accident, the bus driver, identified as Sriram Ji, fled the scene, leaving the injured passengers stranded.
Meanwhile, three critically injured passengers—Subhas Behera (42) from Kumar Sarisa village, Bapi Sasmal (35), and Rajakishore Sahu (50) from Naguan village—are battling for their lives in the ICU. Local authorities and rescue teams rushed to the spot, providing medical assistance to the injured.
