By Sandeep Dwivedy
Post News Network
Cuttack, Dec 19: Even as the State Transport department Friday announced reward for citizens who transport the accident victims to hospital, Orissa Post spoke to a couple of good samaritans who have helped saved lives and appreciated the move.
Jogabyasa Behera is an auto rickshaw owner and driver and had saved the life of a lady who was hit by a bus near Link Road. Welcoming the move of the state transport department, Behera said, “I am glad that the state government has come up with a reward scheme for those who help accident victims in need of urgent medical attention”. Recounting the accident that took place in 2012 near Link Road, Behera said, “It was 9 pm and a speeding bus hit a lady who was walking on the side of the road. Even as people gathered at the site, nobody bothered to shift the victim to a hospital. I took the initiative and took her to SCB Medical and she survived the ordeal”. Jogabyasa said he had a harrowing time dealing with police formalities but was immensely satisfied that he could save a life.
Normally, whenever accidents occur, passers-by try to contact police and ambulance rather than making efforts to shift the victim to a hospital for urgent treatment. This prompted the state government to come up with a reward structure to encourage people to save lives. Another good Samaritan, Santosh Kumar, a resident of Link Road and a native of Bihar, saved a young student’s life in January this year. He said, “I was having tea at a roadside stall when I saw a truck hit a student trying to cross the road. Even as people gathered at the spot, I took the victim to the hospital on a bike and the youngster’s life was saved”. He appreciated the state government’s move to reward good Samaritans who help those in urgent need of medical help. Santosh said the transport department should implement the move with all earnestness and ensure that precious lives are saved.
