Rairakhol: A tourist vehicle met with a serious accident on the Sambalpur-Cuttack National Highway number 55 in Sambalpur district of Odisha late last night. The accident took place near Luhapanka Chhaka under Redhakhol police station limits. The vehicle, carrying pilgrims from Pipili area of Puri district, collided with an Eicher vehicle, leaving 7 people injured, one of them critical.
As per the information received, the injured passengers, including the driver who was trapped in the vehicle, were rushed to Redhakhol hospitals for treatment. Five passengers received treatment at Redhakhol hospital, while the critically injured driver was shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack as his health condition deteriorated. Another passenger with head injuries was shifted to VIMSAR hospital in Burla.
The vehicle was carrying 19 passengers, including women and children, who were returning from a pilgrage tour in western Odisha.
After getting information the fire brigade team reached the scene and conducted a rescue operation, freeing the trapped driver with the help of an iron rod.
Redhakhol police are on the spot and have launched an investigation into the incident.