A joyous wedding celebration turned into a nightmare on Wednesday evening when a private barjatari bus carrying more than 40 passengers lost control and crashed at Ranipathar Ghati on National Highway 157.
The bus, returning from a wedding feast in Dhadki village near Phulbani, veered off the road around 7:30 pm near the Kachi Pol turning point. It plunged into a roadside drain and slammed into the hillside, leaving a trail of devastation.
One person was killed in the horrific crash. More than 19 passengers suffered serious injuries, while several others sustained minor wounds. The identity of the deceased has not yet been released. Passengers told rescuers that the driver appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. After the bus came to a stop, the driver reportedly fled the scene.
The bus belonged to a family from the Purana Katak area in Boudh district. The group had travelled to attend a wedding in the Koulika community and was heading back when tragedy struck on the winding ghat section.
Local residents acted quickly. Members of Sudrukumpa Gram Panchayat, youth from Ranipathar village including Ashish Kumar Behera, Biswajit Behera, Shankar Nayak, Maheshwar Behera and Damodar Behera, along with police and fire services, reached the spot within minutes.
The injured were first rushed to Purana Katak hospital. Five critically injured passengers were later shifted to Phulbani hospital for advanced treatment. Others continue to receive care at Purana Katak.
Sadar Police Station Inspector Sambit Behera has taken charge of the investigation. Police are examining the role of drunk driving and the driver’s disappearance.
This tragic incident once again raises serious questions about road safety on Odisha’s ghat roads and the dangers of drunk driving during festive occasions.
