Bhubaneswar: A woman journalist, working with a local channel, died in an accident on National Highway-316 near Mangalpur Chhak in Odisha’s Pipili on Tuesday.
The deceased has been identified as Sheela Pattanayak, a resident of Bhubaneswar. She is survived by a minor son and her parents.
According to sources, Sheela was crushed to deat
h under a bus after the scooter in which she was travelling, along with a female companion from Bhubaneswar to Puri, skidded on sand scattered on Bhubaneswar-Puri highway. She died on the spot. Her female companion was rushed to nearby hospital at Mangalpur, where she succumbed.
Police identified Sheela from her press ID card. The identity of the other deceased woman is yet to be ascertained.
The bus driver, who fled the scene soon after the accident, later surrendered at Sakhigopal police station.
While an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the accident, locals demanded strict enforcement of rules which mandate truck operators transporting sand to cover the vehicles with tarpaulin to ensure safety of motorists.