Bhubaneswar, August 7: Three separate road accidents were reported from different parts of Odisha, including Kandhamal, Bhadrak and Jajpur, with more than 40 bus passengers narrowly escaping a major mishap and over five people sustaining serious injuries in another incident.

In Kandhamal district, over 40 passengers had a miraculous escape after a private passenger bus, Blue Balloon, developed a mechanical fault near the Nayar Petrol Pump close to G. Udayagiri while travelling from Baliguda to Bhubaneswar. Displaying remarkable presence of mind, the driver steered the speeding bus towards the roadside to prevent a major accident. However, one side of the bus sank into a roadside pipeline trench, causing the vehicle to tilt dangerously. All passengers were evacuated safely and later continued their journey to Bhubaneswar in another bus. No injuries were reported.

In another incident on National Highway-16 near Aradi Chhak under Bhadrak Rural Police Station, a private passenger bus travelling from Bhubaneswar to Balasore collided with a car. The impact was so severe that the bus reportedly dragged the car for nearly 200 metres before coming to a halt. Despite the dramatic collision, all occupants of the car escaped unhurt.

Meanwhile, a series of accidents near Kuakhia Chhak on National Highway-16 in Jajpur left more than five people seriously injured. According to preliminary reports, a speeding car hit several motorcycle riders one after another, triggering multiple collisions. The injured were shifted to the Jajpur District Headquarters Hospital for treatment. Police from Kuakhia reached the spot, seized the car and detained the driver. Further investigation into the incident is underway.

The three incidents once again highlight growing concerns over road safety on Odisha's highways, even as timely action by drivers and emergency responders helped prevent greater loss of life in two of the accidents.