A bus ran over pedestrians during a morning walk, causing a tragic accident near Kujhala Chhak in Odisha's Jajpur. Two people were severely injured, while two others sustained minor injuries. All four were rescued and admitted to Jajpur District Headquarters Hospital. After the accident, the bus driver fled the scene with the vehicle.

According to reports, four youths were doing their morning exercise on the road near Kujhala Chhak under Jajpur Sadar police limits when a private bus travelling from Bari towards Cuttack hit them and sped away. Local residents rushed the injured youths to Jajpur Medical for treatment.

Following the accident, tension prevailed in the locality, with residents staging a protest, burning tyres and blocking the road demanding action and compensation.

Injured Shifted to Cuttack

Of the four injured, two were later referred to SCB Medical College and Hospital (SCBMCH) in Cuttack due to their critical condition. The remaining two received treatment at Jajpur DHH at the time of reporting.

A relative of one of the injured alleged that the youths were regular morning walkers. “They go out for a walk every single morning. Today,  they were out for their routine exercise when a private bus hit them and fled. When we reached the spot after receiving the news, we found them lying unconscious. We brought them to the hospital in an ambulance. The bus driver did not stop and fled the scene,” the relative claimed.

Eyewitness Accounts and Allegations

An eyewitness stated that the vehicle was travelling at high speed. “The private bus was speeding when it hit the four youths. All of them suffered severe injuries, including multiple fractures. We rushed them to the hospital; two have been referred to SCBMCH in Cuttack, and another has also been referred. Only one remains here for treatment,” the eyewitness said.

Locals alleged that the incident occurred due to the bus driver’s negligent driving. They further suspected that the driver may have been intoxicated or had fallen asleep at the wheel. Residents also pointed out that buses often swerve to avoid piles of concrete chips on the road, and combined with low visibility caused by morning fog and excessive speeding, this may have contributed to the crash, according to sources.

Also Read: Dense fog disrupts traffic, vehicles stranded on road in Gajapati

Protest in the Area

Demanding justice and compensation, locals staged a road blockade by burning tyres. Police launched an investigation into the incident, and efforts are underway to trace the absconding driver, sources further said.