Triple Train Accident: Locals Turn First Responders, Donate Blood, Work Overnight As Tragedy Struck

Odisha Chief Secretary Pradeep Jena lauded the efforts of the locals and said that he was getting requests from many places to donate blood.

Locals queue up in hospitals to donate blood for the injured in Odisha train accident ( Image Source :Twitter/@TVG_BJP )

Locals in Odisha’s Balasore, where the triple train accident took place on Friday night, turned first responders as they rushed to the spot to help in the search and rescue operations and also provided help in other ways to the injured. Minister of State for Railways Raosaheb Patil Danve said that along with the NDRF, Army, railways, and administration, the locals were also extending all help. 238 people have been reported dead so far and over 900 injured after Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel Express derailed near Bahanaga railway station in Odisha’s Balasore district, colliding with another passenger train.

Early morning visuals posted by users on social media showed locals turning up to the hospitals to donate blood for the injured. Several other videos also showed locals and social workers atop the wrecked coaches assisting in search and recue operations. 

Moments of Humanity!

Hundreds of locals queue up to donate blood all night after the tragic #RailAccident in Odisha.
In such a tragic time their gesture is applaudable.

Praying for the speedy recovery of those injured and condolences to the bereaved families. pic.twitter.com/LNHAb8xDbK

— Tulla Veerender Goud (@TVG_BJP) June 3, 2023

Sudhanshu, a local spoke to news agency ANI at Cuttack’s SCB Medical College saying that he felt he should donate blood and appealed to the youth to come forward. 

“Injured people are being brought here. I felt that I should donate blood. I hope it will save some lives. I appeal to youth to come and donate their blood,” he said. 

#WATCH | Outside visuals from Cuttack's SCB Medical College

Injured people are being brought here. I felt that I should donate blood. I hope it will save some lives. I appeal to youth to come and donate their blood, says Sudhanshu, a local #BalasoreTrainAccident pic.twitter.com/yotJtyoJFm

— ANI (@ANI) June 3, 2023

Another resident, Vibhuti Sharan said that he along with his friends donated blood. 

"I donated blood, my friends also donated blood. I pray that everyone goes to their homes safely."

Over 3,000 units of blood has been collected in Cuttack, Bhadrak, and Balasore since last night, Jayant Panda from SCB Medical College told the media. "There is a very huge response from the youth. Hundreds of people donated blood. More than 3000 units of blood collected since last night in Cuttack, Balasore and Bhadrak. We've also donated to CM and PM relief funds," he said.  

Odisha Chief Secretary Pradeep Jena lauded the efforts of the locals and said that he was getting requests from many places to donate blood.

“People are coming voluntarily to donate blood. I am getting requests from many places so it is a good sign. Since the accident now, the local people have been providing a lot of assistance to our rescue professionals,” he said.