Baripada: Three passengers died and 20 others sustained critical injuries after the bus in which they were traveling crashed into a truck parked along NH 18 near Budhikhamari Chhak in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district early on Saturday.
According to sources, the accident occurred at around 5 am when the bus carrying around 23 tourists was en route to Gaya in Bhar from Hyderabad. The front portion of the bus was completely damaged under the impact of the collision. Police with the help of locals rescued the victims trapped inside the bus and rushed them to Pandit Raghunath Murmu Medical College and Hospital in Baripada. However, three among them succumbed.
Betnoti Police have started an investigation into the matter. It is being suspected that the accident occurred as the driver dozed off at the steering wheel.
