BERHAMPUR: A joyous trip to Maa Singhasini temple in Ganjam’s Polasara turned tragic after a passenger bus rammed into an auto-rickshaw near Ladkapalli chowk under Purushottampur police limits, killing six people including two children on Friday morning.
The deceased were identified as Mali Behera (75), Nrusingha Behera (43), Lilabati Behera (45), Ratani Behera (39), Sneha Behera (10) and Kiran Behera (12). All of them were residents of Erendra and nearby Purushottampur villages under Girisola panchayat in Chikiti block. They were members of an extended family.
Sources said the Behera family hired an auto-rickshaw to visit the temple for Sneha’s ‘mundan’ (tonsuring) ceremony. They started their journey from Erendra village, unaware of the tragic fate that awaited them.
Near Ladkapalli chowk, a speeding passenger bus coming from the opposite direction allegedly crashed into the auto-rickshaw. The impact was so severe that the three-wheeler was completely mangled. Locals claimed the bus dragged the auto-rickshaw to a distance of 100 metre before coming to a halt.
Fire services personnel rushed to the spot and launched a rescue operation. The victims were shifted to Kodala community health centre where doctors declared six of them dead. Four critically-injured persons including the auto-rickshaw driver were later referred to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur.
Police said the bus was seized but its driver had fled the scene after the accident. The bus helper has been detained for questioning and investigation is underway.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Opposition Leader Naveen Patnaik expressed grief over the tragic incident and wished speedy recovery of the injured undergoing treatment. The chief minister also announced Rs 4 lakh ex-gratia to family of the deceased.
Ganjam Collector V Keerthi Vasan expressed deep grief and announced financial assistance of Rs 30,000 from the Red Cross Fund. He also ordered an inquiry into the alleged overloading of passengers in the auto-rickshaw and directed strict action against violations.
