Balasore, May 26: At least three persons, including the driver of a Puri-bound tourist bus, died and several passengers injured in an accident on NH-5 near Simulia College Square in Bhadrak district.

The mishap occurred in the wee hours today as the tourist bus had collided with a coal-laden truck coming from opposite direction.

According to police sources, incident took place at around 5am near a diversion. Following the head-on collision, the bus turned turtle. The truck was found to have jumped the road divider.

Vehicular traffic on the highway was disrupted for nearly two hours. “The traffic was disrupted as the damaged vehicles were lying on the highway. The irate mob also blocked the road alleging late arrival of the fire service personnel,” said sub-divisional police officer K.C. Parida.

“The bus driver and a passenger died on the spot. However, the truck driver and helper fled the spot,” he said.

The deceased were identified as Simon Bhattacharya (the driver), Gobinda Samanta (45) and Maya Dhada (60). Both the deceased passengers hailed from Paschimpada (Hoogli) of Bengal. Maya succumbed to the injuries undergoing treatment in Bhadrak district headquarter hospital, said sources. The tourist bus from Hoogli was carrying nearly 65 passengers from different parts of the district. Around 40 of them were injured following the accident.

“The bus was lifted with the help of local people and the truck was towed to safer place. A case has been registered,” said Sidheswar Nayak, officer in-charge of Simulia police station.

The injured were rushed to the nearby Bhadrak district headquarter hospital, while the critically injured were shifted to S.C.B. Medical College and Hospital.