Sambalpur, January 13: A serious accident occurred late last night on the Sambalpur-Cuttack National Highway 55 in Sambalpur district of Odisha, near Luhapanka Chhaka under Redhakhol police station limits. A tourist vehicle, carrying pilgrims from Pipili in Puri district, collided with an Eicher vehicle, resulting in seven people sustaining injuries, one of them critically.

The injured, including the driver who was trapped in the vehicle, were immediately rushed to Redhakhol hospital for initial treatment. Five passengers were treated at Redhakhol hospital, while the critically injured driver was transferred to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack. Another passenger, who sustained head injuries, was shifted to VIMSAR hospital in Burla.

The vehicle, which was carrying 19 passengers, including women and children, was returning from a pilgrimage tour in western Odisha when the accident took place.

Upon receiving the alert, a fire brigade team arrived at the scene and conducted a rescue operation, freeing the trapped driver with the help of an iron rod.

Redhakhol police are currently investigating the cause of the accident.