Teacher dead, over 20 students injured as bus overturns at Chandahandi ghati

In a tragic incident, a Physical Education Teacher (PET) died while over 20 students were injured after the private bus in which they were travelling overturned at Chandahandi ghati in Nabarangpur district on Wednesday. The deceased has been identified as Prabhas of Swami Vivekananda High School.

As per initial reports, students of several schools along with teachers were on their way to attend district-level sports event when the mishap occurred.

Sources said that the private bus carrying the teachers and students overturned while the driver was negotiating the steep turn on the Chandahandi ghati.

Following the incident, locals rushed to the spot and rescued the students and teachers and admitted them to Jharigaon Community Health Centre.

A team of doctors are treating the injured students and teachers. Sources said that around five students have sustained multiple injuries and they might be shifted to some other place for advanced treatment.

The parents of the injured students have started to reach the hospital after getting information about the road accident.

Around 30 students were on board the bus when it overturned at Chandahandi ghati. It is pertinent to mention here that two students had died in a similar accident at Chandahandi ghati a few years back. 

Many believe that several accidents have also taken place at Chandahandi ghati in the past due to the steep slope. 

It is yet to be ascertained whether the bus had the fitness and other certificates to ply on the road. Sources said a detailed inquiry will be conducted to ascertain the exact circumstances leading to the bus mishap at the ghati.

DIG Charan Singh Meena said, “We have got information about the incident and rescue operation is underway. SP and other officials are reaching the spot. SDPO Umerkote has reached the spot and we are awaiting details.”

Niraj Kumar Sabar, a member of the rescue team said, “As soon as we got the information about the bus mishap, we rushed to the spot. Several students were lying on the spot. All the students were on their way to attend a sports event. We rescued them and admitted them to the hospital.”

According to Sabar, an injured teacher was rushed to the hospital in a private car. However, it is suspected that he died on the spot.

“All the injured students are undergoing treatment at the hospital. The road at the ghati has steep turn which creates problem for the drivers to negotiate the turn. As a result, frequent accidents are occurring here,” Sabar added.

(This is a developing story, refresh page for more details)