TEN DIE, NINE INJURED IN ROAD MISHAP IN PATNAGARH

TEN DIE, NINE INJURED IN ROAD MISHAP IN PATNAGARH

Friday, 31 May 2013 | SUDHIR MISHRA | BALANGIR | in Bhubaneswar

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In a major tragedy, as many as 10 persons were killed and nine others injured, four of them critically, the outskirts of Jogimunda town in Patnagarh subdivision, 50 km from here, at around 3 am on Thursday morning.

Nine persons, including two women and two children, died on the spot and another succumbed to his injuries while being shifted to the VSS Medical College Hospital at Burla.

According to reports, around 20 people were returning to Khaprakhol after attending a marriage party by a Travera jeep from Khujenpali near Balangir town.

While the vehicle reached the outskirts of Jogimunda town, it dashed against a roadside tree. According sources, the driver was drunk and driving at a high speed.

While three of the injured persons were admitted at the Patnagarh hospital, the six sustaining serious injuries were referred to the Burla hospital. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik declared ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for each deceased’s family.It may be recalled that barely a week ago, an OSRTC bus had met with an accident when it also hit a roadside tree and fire engulfed it, resulting in the death of five passengers and injuries to 21 others.

These back-to-back mishaps once again raise question marks over the quality and standard of drivers engaged by vehicle owners, besides consumption of liquor while driving.