BARIPADA: At least three tourists, including a woman, died and 20 others were critically injured when their bus from Hyderabad collided with a truck on National Highway-18 at Budikhamari chowk within Betnoti police limits in Mayurbhanj district.
The incident took place in the wee hours of Saturday. Sources said that at least 23 persons, including the driver, were on way to Gaya in Bihar. When the tourist bus was headed towards Baripada, a truck came from the opposite direction. The bus rammed into the truck resulting in the death of the driver, two male and a female tourist.
The front of the engine portion of the tourist bus was completely damaged. The injured were admitted to Betnoti Community Health Centre (CHC).
Betnoti police rushed to the spot and rescued the injured. The injured were immediately brought to Betnoti CHC for treatment. Owner of the bus and family members of the tourists were informed about the accident.
Police said preliminary investigation revealed that the reckless driving by the driver of the tourist vehicle led to the mishap. Police seized the ill-fated tourist bus and are investigating into the incident.