Over 30 injured in bus-truck head-on collision

Angul: More than 30 passengers have been injured after a bus collided with a truck on NH-149 near Gotamara under Banarpal police limits in the district late Tuesday night.

Sources said 60 passengers were travelling in the private bus from Thakurhat area in Kendrapara district to Rourkela for picnicking and visiting various tourist destinations in the steel city.

The mishap occurred when the bus collided with a truck coming from other side near Gotamara area in Angul. While over 30 persons are stated to be injured in the accident, the condition of the two passengers is reportedly critical.

“All the injured were administered first aid treatment. Later five of them were admitted to Angul district headquarters hospital. If the condition of the critical patients does not improve, we will refer them to the Cuttack SCB," Angul ADMO Laxminarayan Bisoi said.

“The driver was trying to overtake another vehicle when the bus suddenly crashed onto a speeding truck coming from the other side,” said an injured passenger Manoranjan Patra.