Berhampur: Six people, including two children, from a single family were killed, and four others sustained critical injuries in a head-on collision between an overloaded autorickshaw and a private passenger bus under Purushottampur police limits in Ganjam district on Friday. The incident occurred when a bus heading towards Berhampur rammed into the eight-seater autorickshaw, which was carrying approximately 12 individuals, including four children, at a sharp turn.
Details of the Accident
Regional Transport Officer (RTO) Debasish Swain, who visited the accident site along with sub-collector (Chhatrapur) Sibasis Baral, stated that the bus appeared to have collided with the autorickshaw at a turn, causing the auto to skid and crash into a roadside neem tree. Superintendent of Police (Ganjam) Subhendu Patra confirmed that three people, including Milli Behera (75) and her son Narasingh (43), died on the spot. The injured were rescued by fire services personnel and police and were rushed to Kodala Community Health Centre (CHC), where three more succumbed to their injuries.
Victims and Injured
The deceased were identified as Milli Behera, her son Narasingh, her daughters Lilabati (45) and Ratani (46), and granddaughters Sneha (11) and Kiran (10). All were residents of Erendra under Golanthara police limits. Sneha, from Changudiapadar in Ganjam district, and Kiran, from Baula in Bhadrak, had been staying at their maternal uncle's house in Erendra, according to family sources. Three other family members — Bhagya Behera (50), Kanak (54), and Lily (38) — are undergoing treatment in the intensive care unit. Milli's elder son Kamal Behera (55) survived with minor injuries, while Kanak's daughter Gitanjali (4) escaped unhurt.
Official Response and Compensation
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and former chief minister Naveen Patnaik expressed grief over the incident. The chief minister announced Rs 4 lakh assistance from the CM's Relief Fund for the next of kin of each deceased and directed officials to ensure proper treatment for the injured. The Ganjam district administration also provided Rs 30,000 each for the last rites, said Purushottampur tehsildar Binod Behera.
Investigation and Aftermath
Both vehicles were impounded, while the bus driver, whom police have yet to identify, is absconding. RTO Swain said preliminary inquiry indicated that both vehicles had valid documents. Police reported that the family had hired the autorickshaw and was on its way to Singhasani temple when the accident occurred between 9:30 am and 10 am. Kamal Behera recounted that they were talking when the bus coming from the opposite direction hit their auto. Kamal and nine others had left their village around 7 am, while Kanak and her four-year-old daughter joined them at Purushottampur on the way. "We were going to have darshan of Goddess Singhasani and hold the tonsure ceremony of my niece Gitanjali. We had also planned a picnic before returning home in the evening. We never imagined this trip would end in such tragedy," he said. Picnic materials were found scattered at the accident site.
Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena and Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling visited MKCG Medical College and Hospital to meet the injured. The bodies were handed over to the families after postmortem at Purushottampur CHC.
