Picnic Turns Tragic: Bus Overturns in Ganjam, One Dead, Over 20 Injured
A company picnic meant to be a day of leisure ended in tragedy on Sunday when a bus carrying employees from Berhampur-based organisations overturned at the treacherous Andanda Ghati in Ganjam district.
The bus, returning from Baraha Pathar, lost control near a school on the winding hillside road and flipped over, trapping passengers inside.
Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes as the vehicle skidded on the narrow, unguarded path, possibly due to driver error, mechanical failure, or slippery conditions.
The accident claimed the life of Ratna Bisoi (45), a resident of Sriram Nagar in Berhampur, while more than 20 others sustained injuries ranging from fractures to head trauma.
Quick response from local residents proved crucial, as they rushed to rescue survivors from the wreckage.
The injured were transported to Patrapur Community Health Centre, where doctors declared Bisoi dead on arrival.
Five of the more seriously injured were later shifted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur for advanced treatment.
Police from Jarada station registered a case and seized the body for postmortem examination.
Initial investigations suggest that the sharp curves and lack of protective barriers on the ghat road contributed to the accident—a recurring issue in Odisha’s hillside routes.
This incident has once again raised concerns about road safety infrastructure in the region, highlighting the urgent need for improved safeguards on ghat roads to prevent similar tragedies.
