Wedding Celebration Turns Tragic in Balangir District
A festive wedding procession in Balangir district met with unimaginable tragedy on Tuesday night when the groom's vehicle struck and killed his own father. The incident occurred in Mandal village under the jurisdiction of Belpada police station, turning what should have been a joyous occasion into a scene of profound sorrow.
The Fatal Incident Details
According to eyewitness accounts, the wedding procession was advancing amidst traditional music and dance when tragedy struck. The victim, Chaitanya Bag (55) from Ampali village under Loisinga police station limits, was leading the procession on foot ahead of the car carrying his son, the groom.
In a sudden and devastating turn of events, the vehicle abruptly lurched forward, trapping Bag beneath it and causing severe injuries. The same incident also injured a cousin of the bride who sustained head injuries during the accident.
Ananta Pradhan, IIC of Belpada police station, confirmed the tragic outcome: "In the incident, the groom's father was killed and another person from the bride's side was injured. The actual cause of accident will be known after the investigation is complete."
Emergency Response and Aftermath
Local villagers immediately alerted police about the accident. Emergency medical response was quickly mobilized, with Bag initially being rushed to Belpada CHC (Community Health Centre). As his condition deteriorated rapidly, medical authorities decided to transfer him to Patnagarh sub-division hospital for advanced care.
Tragically, Chaitanya Bag died during transit and was pronounced dead upon arrival at the Patnagarh medical facility. Meanwhile, the bride's cousin, who sustained serious injuries, was transferred to Bhima Bhoi Medical College and Hospital in Balangir, where he remains in critical condition.
A family member of the deceased voiced serious concerns about the circumstances surrounding the accident. The relative blamed the individual operating the vehicle at the time, alleging carelessness and revealing that the car was not being driven by its assigned driver when the fatal incident occurred.
Wedding Proceeds Amidst Tragedy
In a remarkable display of resilience and respect for tradition, the marriage ceremony was solemnised later that night following consultations between relatives from both families. A villager disclosed that the families of the bride and groom made the difficult decision to withhold the news of the father's death until after the wedding rituals were completed, allowing the ceremony to proceed despite the overwhelming tragedy.
The Balangir community has been left in shock by this heartbreaking incident that transformed a celebration of life into an occasion of mourning, raising important questions about vehicle safety during traditional processions.
