Bhubaneswar, (Reporters Pen): Sept 3: Late Monday night, a tragic accident in Udala, Mayurbhanj district, Odisha, resulted in the death of a home guard and critical injuries to four others, including an Inspector-in-Charge (IIC). The deceased home guard has been identified as Laxmidhar Mahanta.
The incident occurred when a speeding ‘108 ambulance’ collided with a police van parked near Petrol Pump Chhak. The force of the impact caused the police van to overturn three times. Initial reports suggest the ambulance driver might have been distracted by his phone, failing to notice the stationary van.
Laxmidhar Mahanta died at the scene, while the IIC and three ambulance staff members—driver, pharmacist, and helper—sustained serious injuries. The injured were first taken to Raghunath Murmu College and Hospital in Baripada, with the IIC subsequently transferred to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack due to a worsening condition.
