Tourist Bus Overturns on Sambalpur–Rairakhol Road, Over 10 Injured

Sambalpur: Panic gripped passengers on Friday night when a tourist bus travelling from Bhubaneswar to Sambalpur overturned near Kansar on the Sambalpur–Rairakhol road.

According to preliminary reports, the 20-seater vehicle struck an electric pole before colliding with a bridge safety wall, causing it to overturn.

At the time of the mishap, 17 passengers were on board. More than 10 sustained injuries of varying severity.

Local residents rushed to the site immediately after hearing the crash and alerted emergency services.

Seven of the injured were admitted to Sambalpur Sadar Hospital, while the rest were referred to Burla for advanced treatment.

Doctors confirmed that several patients are under observation for fractures and trauma-related injuries.

One passenger alleged that the driver may have briefly fallen asleep, leading to the accident. Police have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

In a notable act of assistance, an ambulance travelling towards Bhubaneswar stopped at the accident site, providing first aid and helping transport injured passengers before additional emergency services arrived.

The bus was carrying several members of the same family, one of whom reported that their mother-in-law sustained serious injuries.

Authorities are continuing inquiries as hospital staff monitor the condition of the injured.