At least 20 passengers sustained injuries after a Mo Bus en route Khordha from Bhubaneswar fell into a roadside nullah near Pitapali chhak on Saturday.
Though the exact reason behind the accident is not clear, it is suspected that the mishap occurred after the driver of the Mo Bus lost control of the steering wheel.
Being a busy junction, a large number of commuters gathered at the spot and initiated measures to assist the injured passengers.
As per reports, all the injured passengers have been admitted to Khordha hospital.
As per sources, there were around 25 to 30 passengers when the mishap occurred. The condition of 10 passengers is said to be critical while two are very critical. Some passengers will be shifted to Bhubaneswar for further treatment, said sources.
Though some passengers dialled for help from the police control room, no official allegedly reached the spot. Later, some passersby rescued the passengers by breaking the window glasses of the Mo Bus.
“We do not know how the accident happened. PCR did not come to the spot. Some people did not help initially; later, some of them rescued us by breaking glasses,” said an injured passenger.
“It seems the bus hit something and later skidded off the road. Both my legs have been fractured. I had gone to purchase medicines. I have also lost my bag containing cash,” said another injured passenger.
Several injured passengers have reportedly been shifted to Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar. A doctors’ team at Khordha hospital is taking all possible steps for the primary treatment of the injured passengers.
The driver of the bus is said to be absconding after the incident.
Senior police officials have reached the spot and started an investigation into the matter to ascertain the exact reason behind the mishap.