‘Overloading, careless driving are reasons behind Athmallick accident’

Angul: The four-member team, probing into the Athmallick bus accident in which 19 people were killed and 30 others were critically injured, submitted its report to Angul collector which said overloading and careless driving are reasons behind the tragic accident.

According to sources, the investigating team-which constitutes Athamallick sub-collector, SDPO, SDMO and Angul RTO also found that the ill-fated bus, which met an accident, had no fitness certificate.

Meanwhile, police has launched a manhunt to nab the absconding driver of the bus, who fled after the accident.

Till the last report came in, 22 persons are undergoing at treatment at SCB medical college and hospital. Out of five persons, who have been shifted to ICU at the government-run hospital, condition of one is stated to be critical, reports said.

Notably, 19 people were killed and more than 30 others critically injured when a bus carrying them fell off a bridge in Angul district on Friday.

The mishap took place near Deulijhari when the bus from Boudh to Athamallik fell from a bridge at Puruna Manitri, DGP K B Singh said.

While 19 persons, including four women, were killed, 30 others sustained serious injuries in the accident, Singh said.

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The deceased were identified as Mitrabhanu Mahakud (Kundanali), Bapolin Gaigouria (Madhapur), Ratnaprabha Mendeli (Madhpur), Ratan Sahu (Kundanali), Debashish Nayak (Kundanali), Yashashwi Mahakud (Phulbani), Kalandi Manandia, Parvati Pradhan (Manarbedha), Jagmohan Chhatar (Hisani), Chapadhari Das (Madhapur), Ravindra Mahakud (Boudh), Ranilata Mahakud (Boudh), Sadhu Pradhan (Boudh), Khedu Dehury, Arati Bhukta (Athmallick) and Usha Mahakud (Athmallick).

Expressing shock over the mishap, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had directed the district administration and police officials to take immediate steps for medical treatment of the injured persons. Patnaik announced compensation of Rs 2 lakh to kin of each of the deceased.