At least one person was killed while around 16 passengers sustained injuries after a private bus overturned on NH-16 near Gopalpur Chhak in Cuttack on Wednesday. As per initial reports, a passenger bus named ‘Chandan’ turned turtle at the busy section of the National Highway connecting the twin cities of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar.
The bus was on its way to Balasore from Bhubaneswar. It is suspected that there were around 40 passengers on the bus.
As per sources, a massive rescue operation was launched by the local residents and other commuters following the incident.
All the passengers, who sustained multiple injuries, have been rushed to SCB Medical College and Hospital. The exact reason how the bus overturned was not ascertained at the time of filing of this report.
The entire visuals of the rescue operation were also captured by some passersby on their mobile phones.
An eyewitness said, “The mishap occurred when the bus driver tried to save a cyclist. The bus hit the road median and overturned.”
A search operation was launched to ensure that no passenger was trapped inside the mangled bus.
“I do not know how the accident occurred,” said a lady passenger who was unable to speak properly in shock.
The vehicular traffic on the National Highway was affected for quite some time following the accident which occurred during peak evening traffic.
“The bus had left Baramunda and there were around 60 passengers inside the bus. I do not know how the bus overturned. I was traveling alone in the bus,” said an injured.