Bonai: A horrific road accident on National Highway 143 near Chandiposh in Bonai subdivision of Sundargarh district claimed at least four lives and left more than 20 passengers injured Tuesday night.
According to reports, a private passenger bus named ‘Pramila’, en route from Rourkela to Jajpur Town, lost control around 8:35pm after departing at 7:45pm.
The bus reportedly crossed the divider and collided head-on with a trailer coming from the opposite direction. The trailer driver, bus driver, conductor, and helper lost their lives in the impact. The collision was so severe that locals reported hearing the sound from a considerable distance.
Chandiposh police and emergency services rushed to the site, using gas cutters to extricate bodies trapped inside the mangled vehicles. The bodies of the deceased were sent to Rourkela Government Hospital for post-mortem examination.
The injured were first taken to Lahunipara hospital and later shifted to Rourkela for advanced treatment. Officials said at least four of the injured are in critical condition. Eyewitnesses alleged that the bus was speeding at the time of the crash. Police have launched an investigation into the cause of the accident.