BHUBANESWAR: An auto-rickshaw driver was killed and a woman passenger critically injured when an Ama Bus hit them from behind in the state capital's busy Rupali Square when vehicular movement had come to a halt as the traffic signal had turned red.
Police said the speeding Ama Bus rammed into the auto-rickshaw which swerved ahead due to the impact and crashed into a school bus in front of it. The auto-driver was trapped inside the mangled vehicle and he died on the spot.
Police rescued the injured woman passenger and rushed her to a hospital in a critical condition. Initial investigation revealed the accident took place within Saheed Nagar police limits after 11.30 am when the Capital Region Urban Transport's electric Ama Bus was enroute to Baramunda.
"The driver and the helper of the bus fled after the crash and a manhunt has been launched to nab them. A case has been registered and further probe is underway," said Zone V ACP, Biswaranjan Senapati.
The incident triggered protests and the locals vandalised the Ama Bus involved in the fatal accident. The protestors also vandalised two other Ama Buses when they were enroute to their respective destinations.
Bhubaneswar DCP Jagmohan Meena rushed to the spot to take stock of the situation and pacify the demonstrators. The damaged vehicles were removed from the spot and the vehicular movement was restored after 30 minutes, said the police.
The mishap took place when the state is observing National Road Safety Month with an objective to significantly reduce road accidents and foster a culture of safe and responsible driving.