Driver’s severe coughing bout led to accident, say cops as toll mounts to 3

Bhubaneswar: Police investigating the fatal road accident near Press Chowk on Monday evening found that the driver suffered from a sudden and severe bout of coughing, which caused him to lose control of the vehicle.The SUV veered off the road, ploughing into several parked vehicles and a group of people who had gathered at a roadside tea stall.Two men were killed on the spot, while another injured victim succumbed at the hospital on Tuesday, raising the death toll to three. Three others injured in the accident are undergoing treatment in separate hospitals.The driver, identified as 30‑year‑old Anil Kumar Gouda, was arrested on Tuesday.

Police confirmed he was not intoxicated at the time of the accident. Gouda had fled the scene fearing retaliation from angry locals, but surrendered at Maitree Vihar police station hours later.“We immediately subjected him to a breathalyser test, which turned out negative. During interrogation, he claimed he was unwell and lost control due to severe bout of coughing. He produced his medical prescription and cough syrup,” ACP (Zone‑V) Biswa Ranjan Senapati said, adding, “Gouda should not have driven in such a condition.

His rash and negligent conduct led to this tragedy.”Gouda has been driving the SUV of a coal transporter from Rangamatia area for four years. On Monday evening, he dropped his employer and family at Biju Patnaik International Airport and was returning alone to Rangamatia when the accident occurred around 8.30 pm in front of New Government Colony, along the Press Chowk–Railway Stadium route.“Six persons were injured, of whom three have died — Santosh Behera (55), Jerrom Ekka (55) and Laxmidhar Toppo (65).

Behera and Ekka were declared dead on arrival at a private hospital on Monday, while Toppo died at AIIMS Bhubaneswar on Tuesday,” ACP Senapati said.The three injured — auto‑rickshaw driver Sankarlal Sharma (50), Sulagna Dey (26) and Subrat Mishra (35) — are undergoing treatment. Sharma’s condition is reported to be critical.The regional transport office (Bhubaneswar Zone‑II) and Maitree Vihar police have launched a joint inspection to ascertain the circumstances behind the crash. “We will suspend the accused’s driving licence,” an RTO official said.