12 students on way to take HSC exam hurt, cyclist killed in road mishap
KENDRAPARA: At least 12 students on way to appear the High School Certificate (HSC) examination suffered injuries after the vehicle in which they were travelling hit a cyclist and fell into a dry creek at Krushnanagar village within Talachua Marine police limits here on Friday.
The cyclist, identified as Subrat Mandal (45) of Talachua, was killed in the mishap while the students of Baghamari Vivekananda High School sustained minor injuries and managed to take the test after receiving first-aid.
Sources said the accident took place when the students were going in an SUV to appear the HSC examination at Naga Narayana High School in Khamarasahi village. When they reached Krushnanagar, the driver of the SUV lost control over the wheels reportedly due to overspeeding. After hitting Mandal’s bicycle, the SUV plunged into the creek and turned turtle.
The driver fled the spot after the accident, leaving the students trapped in the vehicle. Locals rescued the students and rushed them to the nearby primary health centre at Dangamal. After receiving treatment, the students were taken to their examination centre at Khamarasahi village.
IIC of Talachua Marine police station Sasmita Sahoo said the cyclist’s body was seized for postmortem. “It is suspected that the accident took place due to rash driving of the SUV driver. A case has been registered and further investigation is underway,” she added.
Block education officer of Rajnagar Manoranjan Sethi said the condition of all the students travelling in the ill-fated vehicle is stable. “A report on the incident will be submitted to the district education officer.”