Tragic Collision Claims Two Lives in Sambalpur
A devastating road accident near Dimirikuda village in Sambalpur district has claimed the lives of a 56-year-old woman and her 31-year-old son. The tragic incident occurred on Sunday evening under Rairakhol police limits, leaving a newborn baby girl orphaned just hours after the accident.
Victims Identified as Mother-Son Duo
The deceased have been identified as Manju Majhi and her son Manoj Majhi, residents of Pipilikani village under Badaamal panchayat near Rairakhol. According to police reports, the tragedy unfolded when Manoj was returning home with his mother after dropping his pregnant wife at her maternal home in Rairakhol.
Manoj, who had gotten married just a year ago to a woman from Jharbeda village near Naktideul, had taken his wife for a medical check-up earlier that day. The young couple was expecting their first child, and Manoj had been accompanying his wife for her prenatal care.
Sequence of the Fatal Accident
The mother and son were traveling by motorcycle when a SUV reportedly collided with them near Dimirikuda village. The impact of the collision was severe, leaving both critically injured. Local police immediately responded to the scene and rescued the injured duo.
Police personnel rushed both victims to Rairakhol sub-divisional hospital for emergency medical treatment. However, despite the best efforts of medical staff, doctors declared both Manju and Manoj dead upon arrival at the healthcare facility.
Newborn Orphaned in Tragic Twist
In a heartbreaking turn of events, just a few hours after the fatal accident, Manoj's wife gave birth to a baby girl at Naktideul community health centre. The newborn entered the world without ever meeting her father and grandmother, who had tragically lost their lives in the road mishap.
The timing of the birth added another layer of tragedy to the already devastating incident, with the infant being orphaned of her father on the very day of her birth.
Community Demands Justice and Support
Local residents have expressed outrage over the incident and have urged the administration to provide immediate assistance to the bereaved family. The community has specifically demanded Rs 5 lakh compensation from the chief minister's relief fund and requested that the government bear the funeral expenses of the deceased.
Sub-divisional police officer (Rairakhol) Prasanta Meher confirmed that authorities have taken swift action, stating, "We have arrested the SUV driver" in connection with the case. The police investigation into the exact circumstances of the accident is ongoing.
Another Accident on NH-55 Claims Bus Conductor
In a separate but related incident in the same region, a 55-year-old bus conductor lost his life and 13 passengers sustained injuries when a bus collided with a trailer truck near Luhapank Chowk on NH-55 late Sunday night.
The deceased in this second accident has been identified as Prashant Mahakud (55) of Talbeda village in Sambalpur district. The bus, which was traveling from Bhubaneswar to Sambalpur, hit the trailer after it slowed down at a speed breaker.
Police rescued the injured passengers and admitted them to Rairakhol sub-divisional hospital for treatment. The back-to-back accidents have raised serious concerns about road safety measures in the Sambalpur region.
The twin tragedies have left the Rairakhol community in mourning, with locals calling for improved road safety infrastructure and stricter enforcement of traffic regulations to prevent such incidents in the future.
