Jajpur, (Reporterspen), : bus falls from flyover National Highway-16 near Barabati in Odisha’s Jajpur district. At least five people died and around 38 others were injured on Monday after a bus carrying around 50 passengers skidded off a flyover. The bus was on its way to West Bengal’s Digha from Cuttack when the accident took place.
The Chief District Medical Officer of Jaipur confirmed the number of injured to India Today TV and said the driver of the bus is in a critical condition. He added that the injured have been sent to the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack and the Community Health Center in Jaipur.
A local who witnessed the accident said it is likely that the driver was under the influence of alcohol.
“We were at the nearest bus stand, we found that the bus driver was driving recklessly and moving the bus randomly. We think the driver was drinking liquor while driving,” said the local.
A rescue operation is underway at the accident spot by fire services personnel and locals.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed grief over the deaths and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 3 lakh each for the families of those who died in the accident.
