Close shave for passengers as Bhubaneswar-bound bus dangles off Mahanadi bridge

Cuttack: Passengers of a Bhubaneswar-bound bus had a miraculous escape after the vehicle rammed into the concrete railing of flooded Mahanadi river and dangled off the structure dangerously in Banki area of Odisha’s Cuttack district on Tuesday.

According to sources, the mishap took place on Jatamundia-Sonepur bridge over the Mahanadi when the bus, carrying around 45 passengers from Angul, was en route to Bhubaneswar. It then perched precariously from the broken railing of the bridge, triggering panic among passengers, who were then evacuated from the bus windows.

Around 10 passengers were reported to have sustained minor injuries in the accident.

Fire services personnel, officials of the local administration and police team soon reached the site to take stock of the situation and make necessary arrangements.

While the exact reason behind the incident is yet to be ascertained, some technical snag is suspected to have led to the mishap, which could have turned into a big tragedy had the bus fallen into the river, which is in spate owing to incessant rains.

A police officer said that the driver will be questioned as to how the accident occurred.