By Rakesh Gupta (Nabarangpur): In a shocking development yesterday afternoon, a private bus owned by Gupta Travels, met with an accident at Junapani under Dabugaon block, leading to the death of 5 people. At least 36 others got injured.

The injured have been admitted to Dabugaon and Nabarangpur hospitals. Seven of them are said to be critical. The private bus (OR 24 A-5419) was going from Umerkote to Jagdalpur (Chhattisgarh) when the incident took place. The driver of the bus lost control at Junapani village and fell into a nearby field.

The helper of the bus was crushed under the bus and died on the spot. Nabarngpur MP Pradeep Majhi and Dabugaon MLA Bhujabal Majhi rushed to the spot and arranged the ambulance for the injured. Some critically injured were later shifted to Koraput. The driver of the vehicle is absconding.