Baripada: A tragic road accident in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district claimed two lives and left five others critically injured, including three video journalists, after a speeding truck rammed into a crowd gathered at the site of an earlier mishap on Thursday evening.
The incident occurred at Palabani in Baripada town. According to reports, a pick-up van carrying timber overturned after the driver allegedly lost control of the vehicle. Following the accident, local residents gathered at the spot and attempted to clear the road by removing the overturned vehicle.
Several media personnel, including cameramen from different news channels, also reached the location to cover the incident.
However, the situation took a devastating turn when a speeding truck reportedly lost control and ploughed into the crowd standing near the accident site. Two persons died on the spot, while five others sustained serious injuries.
Among the injured are video journalists associated with three television news channels, who were covering the initial accident when the truck struck the gathering.
Local residents immediately rushed to the rescue and shifted the injured to Pandit Raghunath Murmu Medical College and Hospital (PRM MCH), Baripada. Hospital sources said the condition of all five injured persons remains critical and they are undergoing treatment.
Police have reached the spot and initiated an investigation into the incident. Authorities are examining the circumstances that led to the truck crashing into the crowd and have launched efforts to identify and apprehend those responsible.
The incident has triggered concern over road safety and crowd management at accident sites, particularly on busy highways where secondary accidents often result in additional casualties.
