The death toll from the devastating ambulance accident in Odisha’s Nayagarh district has risen to four after another occupant succumbed to critical injuries today.
What was meant to be a final journey home to convey a loved one’s mortal remains turned into an unimaginable double tragedy for a grieving family from Balangir district.
High-Speed Impact Near Shalabhanga Forest
The fatal mishap occurred at approximately 5:30 PM on Sunday along National Highway 57, within the jurisdiction of the Banigochha police station.
The ambulance was travelling from Bhubaneswar toward Deogaon in Balangir district, carrying the mortal remains of Ishwar Sahu alongside several grieving family members. Preliminary investigations indicate that the vehicle was travelling at excessive speed when the driver lost control, causing the ambulance to collide violently with a roadside culvert wall near the Shalabhanga forest.
The violent impact shattered the vehicle, leaving all occupants inside with severe, life-threatening injuries.
Fatalities and Emergency Response
Local police units responded quickly to the scene upon receiving reports of the crash. Officers extracted the victims from the wreckage and rushed them to the Daspalla Community Health Centre (CHC) for emergency medical treatment.
Despite medical efforts:
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Pratap Bag and Shirsha Bag passed away shortly after admission due to severe trauma.
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Raju Sahu, the son of the late Ishwar Sahu, succumbed to his critical injuries on Monday while undergoing treatment.
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A fourth victim has also passed away, bringing the total loss of life to four.
Community in Mourning
The bodies of all four victims remain at the Daspalla CHC, where Banigochha police officials are finalising arrangements for the required post-mortem examinations before releasing the remains to the family.
Relatives have arrived at Daspalla as news of the crash spread, casting a profound pall of gloom over the bereaved family and the entire community in their native village. Local authorities continue to investigate the exact circumstances surrounding the fatal speed-related crash.
