In a tragic incident, over 40 picnickers including several children suffered critical injuries after the bus they were travelling in overturned at Taptapani ghati on Sunday.
With the help of local residents, fire personnel and policemen launched a massive rescue operation. All the rescued persons have been rushed to Digapahandi hospital.
According to sources, around 60 people including women and children from Jajpur area had gone to Jirang and Khasada tourist spots in Gajapati district. While returning, the ill-fated bus met with an accident at Taptapani ghati after the driver lost his control of the steering wheel.
Luckily, the bus got stuck and didn’t roll down into the roadside 100 feet deep gorge. Had it happened, the situation would have been different, eye-witnesses said.
On hearing the cries, local people rushed to the spot and immediately launched a rescue operation. Later, Fire Services Department personnel and police officials reached the spot and joined in the operation.
As the rescue operation was underway at the time of filing the report, the total number of injured persons is expected to increase.
Earlier in the day, another picnic bus carrying over 45 passengers overturned at Balia Chhak under Purusottampur police limits in Ganjam district. In the mishap, over 10 picnickers were injured. The injured persons were rushed to Purusottampur Hospital.
Sources said, 45 passengers from Bhadrak area were travelling in the bus. After visiting Taratarini, the people were heading towards Chilika when the mishap occurred.
In another incident, a picnicker drowned in Lulung stream in Mayurbhanj's Baripada. The deceased along with some others from Balasore area had gone to Lulung for a picnic.