A speeding Bolero rammed into a passenger autorickshaw near Gobindpur Square on National Highway 143 in Bonai block on Thursday evening, leaving several women and children injured.
The autorickshaw, carrying around 10 to 11 passengers, was returning from the Bonai Chaitra festival when the collision occurred. The Bolero, bearing registration number OD 14 AD 0612, struck the autorickshaw OD 14 AE 4248 from behind at high speed.
The impact caused serious injuries to all passengers. Local residents rushed to help and arranged ambulances to shift the victims to the Bonai Sub-Divisional Hospital. Doctors treated the injured but referred three—Ahalya Das (35), Maitri Rohidas (32), and Ritesh Rohidas (5)—to Rourkela Government Hospital for advanced care due to their critical condition.
Authorities confirmed that no fatalities occurred in the accident. Police from Bonai station reached the site and initiated an investigation. Officers are examining whether reckless driving or mechanical failure led to the crash.
