Tourists injured after being hit by pick-up van near Rathakhala

Two tourists were injured when a pick-up van hit them near Ratha Khala in Puri on Monday.  

According to reports, the mishap occurred when the driver of the school van suffered an epileptic seizure. Police detained the driver after the mishap while the injured tourists were admitted to district headquarters hospital. 

The injured have been identified as Girish Sahu and Baijayanti Sahu of Luhamunda village in Angul district.  They were going towards Ratha Khala when the van lost its control and hit both the tourists near Nandighosh chariot. Girish fell down on the ground while Baijayanti was dragged a few metres after being hit by the van. 

Both of them are undergoing treatment at district headquarters hospital. Baijayanti got one of legs fractured. Pick-up van driver was also injured in the mishap and was admitted to the same hospital.  

Baijayanti said, “The van hit me from the rear injuring my leg.  For some time I felt as if I lost my leg forever.”

Relative of the injured said “We were at Rathkhala when the pick-van hit them making Girish to fall down. There are saved thanks to the blessing of Lord Jagannath.