A serious accident occurred in Jajpur district on Tuesday when an auto-rickshaw transporting schoolchildren overturned near Balada locality, close to Mangalpur under Dasarathpur police limits. The vehicle was returning students from a private school in Mangalpur when the mishap took place. According to reports, seven to eight children were onboard at the time.
Four students sustained significant injuries and were initially admitted to Dasarathpur hospital for emergency care. They were later shifted to the Jajpur district headquarters hospital (DHH) for further treatment. The auto driver, Muktikanta Sutar, also sustained injuries and is currently undergoing medical care. Officials confirmed that all children are now stable and under observation.
Explaining the crash, the driver stated that a fox suddenly appeared in front of the auto. He attempted to brake, but loose stone chips on the road caused the vehicle to skid and overturn. The fox was also injured in the incident.
The accident has sparked renewed concerns regarding the safety and regulation of student transportation in the region. This comes months after another overturning incident on October 17 last year, when a car lost control and flipped on the Acharya Vihar overbridge in Bhubaneswar, injuring both occupants.
