BHUBANESWAR: Three persons were killed and 35 injured when a bus with 52 passengers on board turned turtle on Kakatpur-Astarang road in Puri district (nearly 80 km from the State capital) on Wednesday morning.
Seven accident victims sustained multiple fractures and head injuries and their condition is said to be critical.
Four of them have been shifted to SCB Medical College Cuttack while the rest admitted to a multi-speciality private hospital here. "Thirteen patients have been referred to the Capital Hospital and the count was likely to increase. The casualties include the bus conductor who was crushed under the vehicle," Biswajit, para-medical staff of Kakatpur PHC said.
The bus was lifted with the help of a crane and the injured were removed after its panes were broken. The bodies of the deceased were also retrieved by rescue workers. The rescue operation lasted for an hour with two units of Fire Services and six 108 ambulance which were rushed from Astarang, Gop and Kakatpur.
According to an injured passenger, the driver of the ill-fated vehicle ‘Hari Omm’ which runs between Astarang and Paradeep, lost control while taking a turn after the steering wheel failed. "The bus took a turn and dashed into the canal wall twice before collapsing on its left-hand side," he added.
Meanwhile, traffic remained blocked on Kakatpur - Astarang road as irate locals staged a protest at Jiunti Square by burning tyres and demanding compensation for the families of the deceased. The blockade was cleared after the intervention of senior police and administrative officials who visited the spot. Kakatpur police have registered a case and started an inquiry into the incident.