The accident took place on National Highway-16 near Chatabara village under the Bhandaripokhari police limits. According to Mahaprasad Nayak, Inspector-in-Charge of Bhandaripokhari police station, the bus was traveling towards Puri and had stopped to replace a punctured tyre when the speeding container truck crashed into it from behind.
The injured passengers were initially rushed to the District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) in Bhadrak for immediate medical attention. However, due to the severity of their injuries, four of them were later transferred to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, the officer added.
Police have initiated an investigation to ascertain the exact cause of the collision and further details are awaited.
