TV
In a devastating road mishap that occurred late Sunday night, a pickup van carrying a group of Danda Nacha performers overturned near Potapokhari, close to Madhapur village under Fategarh Police Station limits in Nayagarh district.
The accident has left more than 17 people injured, out of which two have sustained critical injuries. Both of them have been shifted to Bhubaneswar for advanced medical care.
How The Mishap Occurred?
According to reports, a 20-member team from Madhapur village was traveling to Pathara Chakada village to perform Danda Nacha, a centuries-old ritualistic dance form associated with penance and devotion during the Chaitra festival. The group was traveling in a pickup van when the vehicle lost balance near a turn on State Highway-48.
The driver reportedly lost control, and the vehicle overturned on the roadside.
The accident occurred during the dark hours of the night, causing chaos and panic. Several artists were thrown off the vehicle while others remained trapped inside. Hearing their cries for help, local villagers rushed to the spot and began rescuing the injured from the mangled vehicle.
Emergency services were alerted, and all the injured were immediately taken to the Bhapur Community Health Centre for treatment. While most of the injured sustained minor to moderate injuries, two individuals were reported to be in serious condition and were referred to a hospital in Bhubaneswar.
Police from Fategarh reached the spot soon after and launched an investigation into the cause of the accident. Preliminary findings suggest that the van was overloaded and possibly speeding, which may have contributed to the loss of control. Further updates on the condition of the injured are awaited.
