Boinda: At least 19 people were killed and 43 injured, many of them critically, when the bus they were travelling in fell 40 ft off a bridge near Deulijhari in Angul district Friday, but a two-year-old got a miraculous escape with minor injuries from the monstrous disaster.
Family members of Rahul Bhukta thanked God for this miracle.
According to reports, Arati Bhukta of Aeda village was travelling with her child in the bus to Tenteigali. Arati died in the accident, but Rahul escaped from sure death, which had wondered people crowding at the mishap site.
On being informed about the accident, Rahul’s grandmother Sarojini Bhukta reached Athamallick hospital to see her grandson. She hugged the child with tears rolling down her cheeks.
Sarojini did not forget to thank God, saying,” God snatched away my daughter-in-law, but spared my grandson.”
“God has saved my only grandson Rahul to protect my clan,” an emotionally overwhelmed Sarojini said.
As for the accident, an eyewitness Pabitra Mohan Kheti (23) of Puruna Manitiri, said, “I was in the river to take a bath at 9 am when some college students and villagers got into the bus. Minutes later, I heard a huge thud on the right side of the bridge. To my horror, it was the same bus I had seen minutes before. I hurried to the bridge and halted several vehicles. The villagers immediately rushed to the riverbed to rescue the passengers. I am shocked to see such a horrible accident that took place right before my eyes.”
A college student Sujatarani Mahana (17) of Kampla village, who also miraculously escaped, recounted the horror. “As usual, I got into the bus. I was alive by the grace of God, but my friends with whom I used to talk merrily on a daily basis died,” she bemoaned.
Similarly, another college student Madhabi Mahakud (16) of Khadrapada, said, “I was saved by a whisker, as I was well inside the bus. By the time I gained my sense I found myself in the hospital. I am extremely sad over the death of my friends.” PNN
