At least 20 patients had a narrow escape when a bus by which they were travelling caught fire after hitting a road divider in Nayagarh district on Monday morning.
The mishap occurred when the bus was ferrying the patients from the Sai Seva Sadan Hospital at Kuhudi of Khordha district to Harabhanga of Boudh district.
The driver lost control over the wheels and the vehicle hit a divider near the Banigochha police station and went into flames.
Getting information, Fire Service personnel from Dasapalla rushed to the spot and brought the fire under control.
All the patients were rescued and shifted to hospitals in Dasapalla and Banigochha. The health conditions of all patients were stated to be stable.
While police launched a probe into the incident, the bus driver and helper fled from the spot taking advantage of the chaos.
