Bhubaneswar, 28 March (H.S.): At least five people, including four women, lost their lives and more than 40 others sustained injuries after a tourist bus met with a tragic accident late Friday night near Takeraghat under Daspalla police limits in Nayagarh district.

The deceased have been identified as the driver and four passengers—Hari Patra, Laxmi Patra, Suprabha Sahu, and Sumati Sahu—all reportedly residents of Berhampur.

According to police sources the private bus was carrying around 60 passengers from Berhampur to Harishankar on an excursion when the accident occurred at Hanuman Ghati. The driver allegedly lost control while negotiating a sharp turn, causing the vehicle to ram into a large rock and overturn.

The impact of the crash was severe, with several passengers thrown out of the bus, while more than 10 individuals were trapped beneath the wreckage.

Upon receiving the alert, rescue teams from Daspalla and Banigochha police stations, along with fire service personnel and ambulances, rushed to the scene. Rescue operations were carried out using gas cutters to extricate those trapped inside the mangled vehicle.

The injured were initially taken to the Daspalla Community Health Centre. Critically injured victims—estimated to be around 15—were later shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital for advanced treatment.

Eyewitness accounts point to overspeeding as a likely cause of the accident. “The driver took the sharp turn at a very high speed, due to which the bus overturned. Many passengers were rescued through the broken window panes,” said Subhranshu Nayak, one of the injured.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda