At least 17 people were injured after a pickup van plunged from a height of around 10 feet in Ganjam district on Sunday. The accident occurred near Jarau village when the vehicle, carrying a large number of passengers, reportedly lost control and fell off the road.
According to sources, around 25 to 27 people were travelling in the pickup van from Sorada to Khariguda to attend a religious programme when the mishap occurred. Among the injured are five women and three children. Nine passengers sustained critical injuries, while others suffered minor injuries.
Local residents rushed to the accident site immediately and helped rescue the injured. The victims were initially taken to Bargarh Medical for treatment. Due to the serious condition of some passengers, they were later referred to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur for advanced medical care.
Sources said the driver of the pickup van fled the scene after the accident. Police reached the spot soon after being informed and have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the mishap. Further details are awaited.
The incident has once again highlighted concerns over frequent road accidents in the area and the unsafe practice of transporting large numbers of passengers in pickup vans.
