Bus Carrying Pilgrims From West Bengal To Puri Meets With Accident, Many Injured

Balasore: A bus carrying around 70 pilgrims from West Bengal met with an accident on Seragada-Khantapada Road in Balasore in the wee hours of Saturday, injuring around two dozen passengers including women and children.

As per reports, the bus was en route to Puri from Hoogly when it dashed into a stationary truck from behind. While 15 people have sustained minor injuries, seven have been admitted to Balasore district hospital with critical injuries.

One of the passengers alleged that the accident occurred due to rash and negligent driving by the bus driver. "The mishap occurred at around 4.30 AM today when we were on way to Puri. Some of us felt that the driver is over-speeding, so we asked him to drive slow. The driver fled the scene immediately after the accident. A few locals broke the windshield to rescue us," said the pilgrim.

In another incident, a Bolero carrying picnickers rammed into a truck and skidded off-road near Nahara Chhak in Jaleswar area this morning. The vehicle was on way to Digha from Purulia when the mishap occurred reportedly due to dense fog.

Around five persons who were seriously wounded are undergoing treatment at Jaleswar Hospital.