Baripada/Sambalpur: At least four persons were killed and 17 others sustained critical injuries in two separate mishaps in Mayurbhanj and Sambalpur districts on Saturday.
A passenger bus en route to Sambalpur from Bhubaneswar overturned near Maneswar area killing two persons on the spot. Ten other passengers left injured were admitted to Sambalpur hospital for treatment, while two of them were later shifted to Burla hospital after their condition deteriorated.
Meanwhile in Mayurbhanj, two `Bol Bom` devotees of a `Kanwaria` group have been killed, and seven others critically injured after the Bolero they were travelling in was hit by a speeding truck near Duarasuni ghat under Bangiriposi police limits late last night. The deceased Ranjit Kumar Ram and Bapi Sahu, have been identified as residents of Bangiriposi area. The truck driver has also sustained critical injuries in the accident.
Reportedly, the incident occurred when the devotees were on their way to Gupteswar in Bolangir district to offer divine water to Lord Shiva on the occasion of Holy Shravan month.
Soon after the mishap, police personnel along with locals rushed to the spot and rescued the injured passengers trapped in the Bolero. All of them were first admitted to Bangiriposi hospital and later shifted to Baripada hospital.