CUTTACK: Around 12 passengers were injured, several seriously, when a Cuttack-bound bus met with an accident on the NH-5 near Taratala Chhak under Tangi police limits here on Monday.
The bus coming from Bhuban to Bhubaneswar suffered a tyre-burst near the Chhak and swerved to the road divider. On hitting the divider, it tumbled over and turned turtle. The bus was carrying more than 45 passengers, who were trapped inside for quite some time.
Locals and police rushed to the spot after the accident and rescued the passengers from the overturned vehicle. While 12 persons were injured, seven are stated to have sustained serious injuries and were taken to SCB Medical College and Hospital here. The rest with minor injuries were taken to the local hospital and released after administration of first aid.
Eye-witnesses said a major accident which could have resulted in casualties was averted as it occurred near a busy Chhak and close to the toll gate. The bus was moving slowly and thus the passengers had a providential escape, police sources said.