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More than 280 people killed in triple train collision in Odisha’s Balsore on June 2.

Kolkata:

In a shocking revelation following the tragic Odisha train accident, which resulted in the loss of 275 lives and left over 1000 injured, a survivor’s father shared a heart-wrenching incident Helaram Mallik said his son, Vishwajit, was mistaken for dead and had a pile of bodies placed upon him.

Determined to find his son, Helaram Mallik embarked on a 230-kilometer journey to Balasore. His relentless efforts led him to locate his son alive in a makeshift morgue, where he had been mistakenly placed with the deceased victims of the triple train accident.

After that, Mallik pulled out his young son from the morgue at Bahanaga High School and rushed him to Balasore Hospital before bringing him to Kolkata’s SSKM Hospital.

Biswajit suffered multiple bone injuries in his limbs and underwent two surgeries at the trauma care unit of SSKM Hospital here.

Speaking about the whole incident to ANI, Helaram said, “My son boarded the Coromandel Express and was travelling to Chennai from Santragachi for work. At around 7.30 am, he called and told me that the train had met with an accident. He lost his senses after he called me. He called from someone else phone and informed me that he is badly hurt and fell unconscious. A pile of dead bodies was placed upon him thinking he was dead, when he regained consciousness, he waved his hand to indicate that he was alive.

People realised he was alive and took him to the hospital. We went in search of my son as he called and informed us about the accident. Finally, I found him in Balasore Hospital.”

Recalling the accident, he said that it was extremely painful” for him as he was ‘about to’ lose his son forever.

“The incident was extremely painful for us as he had returned after 2 years, stayed for 15 days, and left again. Whether he will go again or not will be his choice, being a father I will only advise him not to go. We are very happy but are concerned about his legs and hands. Money doesn’t matter to me, what matters to me is my son. I have found my son and bringing him back to Kolkata is the most important. The compensation which will be provided by CM Mamata Banerjee would be very helpful for us and I am grateful to her,” he added.

The tragedy was caused due to the derailment of two passenger trains and a good train that collided with each other near Bahanaga Railway Station in Balasore on June 2.

The accident occurred when the Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel Express collided with a stationary freight train, causing several coaches to derail onto the adjacent track. Subsequently, the Howrah Express, travelling from Yesvantpur to Howrah, collided with the affected carriages at high speed, resulting in further derailment.

Notably, the ill-fated Coromandel Express is all set to resume services from Wednesday, days after the dreadful accident.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

JamBase will celebrate 25 years of operation this summer with a series of special concerts in the greater Boston area. Billed as The Jambase 25th Anniversary Quadranscentennial Silver Jubilee, the series is due to feature four nights of music by six bands at three different venues from Thursday, August 17th through August 20th, 2023.

The festivities will begin on Thursday, August 17th at Sally O’Brien‘s in Somerville, MA with the BT ALC Big Band featuring special guest Jennifer Hartswick. Tickets for the Thursday event will be available exclusively at the door.

On Friday, August 18th, the party will head to Boston Harbor Distillery in Boston, MA for a performance by beloved local outfit Club d’Elf, which is also celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2023. On Saturday, August 19th, the celebration will continue at Soundcheck Studios in Pembroke, MA for a concert by the Jennifer Hartswick Band featuring an opening sets by pianist Holly Bowling and guitarist Ron Artis II.

Related: Club d’Elf Welcomes Phish’s Mike Gordon, Members Of Dopapod In Burlington [Watch/Listen]

Finally, on Sunday, August 20th, The Jambase 25th Anniversary Quadranscentennial Silver Jubilee will come to a close at Soundcheck Studios with an intimate performance by Umphrey’s McGee—yet another act marking a quarter-century of history in 2023.

Tickets for The Jambase 25th Anniversary Quadranscentennial Silver Jubilee are now available here in individual-night and multi-night packages.

ESPN

The latest entry in the award-winning “30 For 30” documentary series is “The Luckiest Guy in the World” about NBA Hall of Famer Bill Walton.

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The movie premieres Tuesday, June 6, at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN, and it will be available on ESPN+ immediately following the initial premiere.

Here’s a full rundown of all the different ways you can watch “The Luckiest Guy in the World” online:

If you can wait until after the TV premiere, “The Luckiest Guy in the World” will be available on ESPN+ after it premieres on ESPN:

Get ESPN+

ESPN+ includes every 30-for-30 documentary, dozens of different live sports and additional original content (both video and written) all for $6.99 per month (or $20.97 for a bundle of all three of ESPN+, Disney+ and Hulu).

Once signed up for ESPN+, you can watch “The Luckiest Guy in the World” on the ESPN app on your Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV or Firestick, Apple TV, Chromecast, PlayStation 4 or 5, Xbox One or Series X/S, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), Samsung Smart TV, Oculus Go, iPhone, Android phone, iPad or Android tablet.

You can also watch on your computer via ESPN.com.

You can watch a live stream of ESPN and 100-plus other live TV channels on FuboTV, which comes with a free seven-day trial:

FuboTV Free Trial

Once signed up for FuboTV, you can watch “The Luckiest Guy in the World” live on the FuboTV app or FuboTV website.

Compatible devices for the FuboTV app include Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV or Fire Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Xbox One or Series X/S, Samsung TV, LG TV, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), iPhone, Android phone, iPad or Android tablet.

DirecTV Stream has four different channel packages: “Entertainment,” “Choice,” “Ultimate” and “Premier.” ESPN is included in every one, and you can pick any package and any add-on you want with your free five-day trial:

DirecTV Stream Free Trial

Once signed up for DirecTV Stream, you can watch “The Luckiest Guy in the World” live on the DirecTV Stream app or DirecTV Stream website.

Compatible devices for the DirecTV Stream app include Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV or Fire Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Samsung TV, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), iPhone, Android phone, iPad or Android tablet.

You can watch a live stream of ESPN and 40-plus other live TV channels via Sling TV’s “Sling Orange” bundle. This option doesn’t include a free trial, but it’s the cheapest long-term streaming service with the ESPN channels, and you can get your first month for half off:

Get Sling TV

Once signed up for Sling TV, you can watch “The Luckiest Guy in the World” live on the Sling TV app or Sling TV website.

Compatible devices for the Sling TV app include Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV or Fire Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Xbox One or Series X/S, Samsung TV, LG TV, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), airTV Mini, Oculus, Portal, iPhone, Android phone, iPad or Android tablet.

‘The Luckiest Guy in the World’ Preview

Directed by Steve James of “Hoop Dreams” fame, this four-part series “tells the colorful story of a true sports original: iconic basketball Hall of Famer Bill Walton,” according to the ESPN press release.

It continues:

[Walton’s] life is the stuff of legend: a high school basketball phenom and game-changing big man for the UCLA dynasty; an injury-plagued NBA lightning rod defined by championships and setbacks; a Grateful Dead devotee who remained true to himself, no matter the cost.

Athletes often talk about the love of the game; Bill Walton lived the concept. The Big Redhead, a true free spirit in every sense, lived his life with his emotions and beliefs at the forefront of everything he did. He played basketball with an infectious joy, he embraced nature and spiritual pursuits with the same enthusiasm, and through it all, he carved a path unlike any other superstar in team sports. The film is a kaleidoscopic trip through Walton’s life and memory, accompanied by the soundtrack of his life: the music of the Grateful Dead.

In James’s hands, the story winds back and forth through time and space, from the heights of the NBA in Portland and Boston to the wilds of Oregon, from the chaos of civic unrest and antiwar protest at UCLA to the simple pursuit of being able to live a pain-free existence. Through it all, Walton’s life serves as a colorful, tie-dyed answer to the deeper questions we all face: what does it mean to be happy? What does it mean to be free? Unifying themes across decades and various cities, it is a story of the times – tied together by the perfect soundtrack of the era and, as always, Walton’s ebullient spirit.

“Growing up, I was a big fan of UCLA’s basketball teams, none more so than during the years that Bill Walton was such a dominant player,” said director James in a statement. “I continued to follow his career in the NBA and always felt that he’d had great misfortune to suffer countless injuries, and be vilified for it in the press and public. Walton was also criticized for his outspoken political beliefs and alternative lifestyle. So when ESPN approached me about telling his story, I saw it as a great opportunity to dig into his remarkable career and life. Walton is a true original, and proves the famous F. Scott Fitzgerald quote wrong – Bill Walton has had not just a second act in his American life, but maybe a third, and fourth as well.”

The four-part film features interviews and commentary from such NBA greats as Lary Bird Julius “Dr. J” Erving, Kevin McHale, Artis Gilmore, World B. Free, Robert Parish and more, plus Walton’s family, Lionel Hollins, Jack Ramsay, Ralph Lawler, and Brent Musburger.

ESPN’s “30 For 30: The Luckiest Guy in the World” premieres on Tuesday, June 6 at 8 p.m. Eastern and Pacific times on ESPN.

Audi is relaunching its e-tron SUV and Sportback models for 2024, after the ground-breaking EV introduced itself in 2018 as the first standard-issue German family hauler powered by electric motors. But let’s cut to chase. The biggest difference between the outgoing e-tron models and their rebadged successors—the 2024 Q8 e-tron and the Q8 Sportback e-tron— comes down to a number staring at me from the instrument cluster as I get set to pull away for a six-hour drive around the Northern California coast. 

That number is 296. That’s the new fully charged range, give or take a few miles, for the Q8 e-tron, up from around 210 provided by the outgoing model. While Audi engineers and product managers will regale me with a range of other upgrades, this, frankly, is the one that matters. I should know, as my wife and I are a year into an e-tron lease.

For daily excursions, the vehicle’s range is more than ample. But on any significant day trips, we’re inevitably firing up EV charging apps to map out just where we’ll need to pull over to pump some electrons into the tank. It’s by far the biggest downside to e-tron ownership, and the folks at Audi have just made me wish I’d waited a year.

Before we get to those various e-tron upgrades, which are largely imperceptible to e-tron cognoscenti, let’s spell out what’s really going on here. Audi, part of the Volkswagen Group behemoth that includes shiny badges such as Porsche, Bentley, and Lamborghini, has been very clear about its mushrooming EV intentions. Currently, the Q8 e-tron siblings are two of five EVs offered by the Ingolstadt automaker, a family that also includes the smaller Q4 and Q4 Sportback e-trons, and the e-tron GT sedan. 

By slapping a letter and number in front of the e-tron name to mimic its existing fare, the marque is simply announcing that, in short order, the bulk of its offering will be EVs. Specifically, Audi has a mission to bump that up to 10 EV models by 2025, and by 2026, every new model introduction will be an EV. And from 2033, expect every Audi sold to be electric.

That ambitious goal means that keeping the current e-tron fresh is critical to convincing longtime ICE-powered-car aficionados that an EV can provide virtually the same handling and luxury while requiring them to give up only their pit stops at gas stations. So, what are some of those tweaks? Visually, the old and new e-trons are virtually identical, although bigger front-spoiler intakes give the latest iteration a more aggressive vibe. Also new is the four-ringed logo. Where before they were pieces of shiny aluminum, now they’re 2-D rings with special lighting that is a nod to Audi’s obsession with cool headlights and turn signals that often seem like mini light shows. There’s also a laser-etched e-tron name in the B-pillar, in case someone’s wondering if this is a regular Q8. 

But those are small potatoes. The bigger changes include improvements in aerodynamic efficiency that are critical to helping eke out a few more miles from the revamped batteries. Air hitting the front of the car at speed is now redirected thanks to self-closing grill flaps and air dams located near the tires, both of which help reduce drag by six percent over the old e-tron models. The denser 114 kwh lithium-ion battery, up from 95 kwh, is the same size as the latter. Coupled with a more efficient motor, the latest Q8 e-trons not only deliver 30 percent more range than their predecessors but are also able to fast-charge from 10 percent to 80 percent charge at 170 kw stations. 

That may all read like mumbo-jumbo to anyone not parking an EV in the garage at night, but for those who do, the aforementioned are big steps towards eliminating two EV thorns: getting stranded with a dead battery, and waiting around forever at a charging station. Sure, some competitors out there certainly do Audi one better, in particular the Tesla Model S Long Range Plus and the Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance, with their claimed 400-mile and 500-mile range, respectively. Yet while those are impressive numbers, the real threshold that will get most buyers to make the switch is 300 miles, enough for the most grueling of errands and a day of road-tripping. 

That mileage was put to the test on our loop from Healdsburg in Sonoma county out to Highway 1 on the scenic California coast, and then south again back to that foodie wine country burgh. The Q8 e-tron and Sportback e-trons were predictable joys to pilot, offering the same bank-vault quiet of the original model that is, in and of itself, a reason to plug in and go electric. 

With the Pacific Ocean noiselessly churning on my left and the Bang & Olufsen stereo providing a Phish soundtrack, the snaking drive was nothing short of a combination of blissful jam and thrilling amusement park ride. My 2022 e-tron handles fairly well when pushed a bit, though its SUV stance means, at some point, body roll causes you to dial things back. Audi engineers report that the 2024 version benefits from significant upgrades in the handling department, including stiffer control arm bushings to tighten up steering feel and revised chassis-control tunings. I played with switching up the drive settings, and this model does feel noticeably more spritely and sure-footed now, especially when dialed into Dynamic mode from Auto, a boon to real driving enthusiasts.

The rest of the Q8 e-tron package is standard Audi fare, which is to say an elegant if almost subdued Teutonic level of refinement that is a welcome change from some of the more futuristically hysterical designs on the market. My favorite items, most of which are ported over from the original e-tron, include seamless smartphone integration, terrific instrument-cluster info displays and, perhaps best of all, sublime multi-function massaging seats. It’s a good thing the e-tron now has close to 300 miles of range, because sometimes it’s just tough to get out of this cocoon of a finely wrought vehicle.

When the e-tron was first introduced in 2018, it seemed like a revelation at a time when EVs essentially meant, well, Tesla. Today, EV models seem to be flooding the market from automakers both well-known (from Ford to Kia) and unknown (Vinfast anyone?). But one thing is certain. For many consumers, diving into an electric car purchase will feel safest with a brand you like and a model you already know. Audi Q8 fans, your EV has just pulled up.

Click here for more photos of the 2024 Audi Q8 e-tron and Q8 Sportback e-tron.

It’s hardly surprising that Leftover Salmon chose to recruit Billy Strings, Oliver Wood, and Darol Anger to contribute to their new album, Grass Roots, especially considering the fact that they, like the band itself, represent some of the more progressive forces of today’s bluegrass variety. The fact that Leftover Salmon has been a formidable influence in the newgrass evolution finds any collaboration of that sort especially well considered, and even more so on this project intended to highlight the bluegrass side of the band.

So too, the choice of covers — including songs from Dylan, The Grateful Dead, David Bromberg, and Link Wray — all testify to Leftover Salmon’s verve and versatility. So too, being as vibrant as they are varied, Leftover Salmon finds an easy groove that easily adapts to whatever muse happens to inform their music at any given time. 

That’s not to say they don’t take their traditional trappings seriously. Opening tracks Country Blues and Blue Railroad Train keep to a vintage template that hews to strict bluegrass basics. Drew Emmitt’s mandolin chop comes to the forefront, while the other members of the band — vocalist/guitarist Vince Herman, bassist/vocalist Greg Garrison, banjo player and singer Andy Thorn, drummer Alwyn Robinson, and Jay Starling, who shines on dobro, lap steel, piano, Wurlitzer, and vocals, mesh their instruments accordingly. California Cottonfields and Fireline follow suit, with the former finding Jay Starling reprising a song his father, John, made famous with Seldom Scene.

The material also offers plenty of opportunity for some imaginative interpretations. A reverential replay of Simple Twist of Fate culls all the tattered emotion of the original, while recasting it as a homespun homily. Their take on the Dead’s Black Peter stays true to Jerry Garcia’s bluegrass roots as well as the populist threads the two bands share in common. Bromberg’s The New Lee Highway Blues is recast with a down home delivery, while another Dylan standard, Nashville Skyline Rag, comes across in a way Bob himself likely imagined, given that Earl Scruggs played on the original. On the other hand, a carefully considered Fire and Brimstone is scarcely recognized as a Link Wray original. 

Ultimately, Grass Roots offers all its title implies. It shares the sentiment and sensibilities plied from a vintage sound, all imbued with modern aptitude and attitude. It’s yet another reason why Leftover Salmon remain one of the best of their breed.

Dead & Company on Saturday headed to Bristow, VA for their final performance at Jiffy Lube Live, a frequent tour stop throughout the band’s eight-year tenure. In Bristow, the Grateful Dead offshoot featuring Bob Weir, John Mayer, Mickey Hart, Oteil Burbridge, Jeff Chimenti, and Jay Lane dug into the Dead’s deep bag of tricks to pull out a number of songs not yet played on the band’s The Final Tour.

After beginning the show with “Here Comes Sunshine”, “Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo”, “Mr. Charlie”, “He’s Gone”, and “Brown-Eyed Women”, Dead & Company started up the stream of 2023 debuts with a set-closing pairing of The Beatles‘ “Dear Prudence” and Bobby “Blue” Bland‘s “Turn On Your Love Light”.

Related: Dead & Company Make The Grade At Cornell University’s Barton Hall [Videos/Audio]

Set two got going with a seamless swing through “Deal”, “Scarlet Begonias”, “Playing In The Band”, “Cumberland Blues”, and “Uncle John’s Band” ahead of “Drums”/”Space”. The remainder of the set from there was comprised entirely of 2023 debuts, from the Miles Davis “Milestones” jam out of “Space” to the ensuing takes on “Days Between”, “Throwing Stones”, and “One More Saturday Night”. The show finally came to a close with a sing-along “Ripple” encore.

Dead & Company’s The Final Tour continues on Monday, June 5th at The Pavilion at Star Lake in Burgettstown, PA. For a complete list of upcoming Dead & Co shows, head here. Scroll down to check out the setlist and a selection of videos from Saturday’s Bristow, VA show.

Dead & Company – “Here Comes Sunshine” [Pro-Shot] – 6/3/23

Dead & Company – “He’s Gone” – 6/3/23

[Video: The Zalewski Law Firm]

Dead & Company – “Deal” > “Scarlet Begonias” [Pro-Shot] – 6/3/23

Setlist: Dead & Company | Jiffy Lube Live | Bristow, VA | 6/3/23

Set One: Here Comes Sunshine, Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo > Mr. Charlie > He’s Gone > Brown Eyed Women, Dear Prudence > Turn On Your Love Light

Set Two: Deal > Scarlet Begonias > Playing In The Band > Cumberland Blues, Uncle John’s Band > Drums > Space > Milestones > Days Between > Throwing Stones, One More Saturday Night

Encore: Ripple

Happy birthday, Mike Gordon! Mainly known for his bass bombs in Phish, the sly bassist has collaborated with some of the best and brightest in the scene throughout his lifetime. A founding member of Phish, Gordon tours extensively with his own solo band and maintains a healthy appetite for musical collaborations. Here are our ten favorite clips showcasing Gordon’s work with other crews:

Related: Phish’s Mike Gordon & Daughter Cover Grateful Dead’s “Pride Of Cucamonga” On ‘Terrapin TV’ [Watch]

1. Mike Gordon with Bob Weir – 2/24/2014

Gordon is no stranger to Grateful Dead collaborations. While he’s been known to share the stage with fellow bassist Phil Lesh, his appearances with Bob Weir have been just as captivating. Here’s Gordo sitting in with Weir and Ratdog on “Bird Song” during their 2014 winter tour at Boston’s House Of Blues.

RatDog ft. Mike Gordon – “Bird Song” – Boston, MA – 2/24/14

[Video: Chris Van Slyke]

2. Mike Gordon with DJ Logic, Stanley Jordan, & Warren Haynes – 9/10/2001

This session at the fabled Wetlands Preserve in New York City featured DJ Logic and guitar virtuosos Warren Haynes and Stanley Jordan. Gordon and the group absolutely tear up a half-hour-long jam based around Stevie Wonder‘s “Superstition”.

DJ Logic, Warren Haynes, Stanley Jordan, Mike Gordon – “Superstition” – New York, NY – 9/10/01

[Video: Lawrence Blumenstein]

3. Mike Gordon with Benevento/Russo Duo – 4/27/2005

If you’ve never heard the 52-minute rendition of “Foam” performed at the Georgia Theatre in Athens, GA, by Mike Gordon and the Benevento/Russo Duo, strap in because you’re bound for a sublime ride.

Benevento/Russo Duo ft. Mike Gordon – “Foam” – Athens, GA – 4/27/05

[Video: alexsh]

4. Mike Gordon with STS9 – 7/23/2008

In his only sit-in with STS9, Gordon was able to secure some space to lead a bass-driven improvisational jam that had the crowd at South Burlington, VT’s Higher Ground going wild.

STS9 ft. Mike Gordon – “Gordo Improv” – South Burlington, VT – 7/23/08

[Audio: Drew Taylor]

5. Mike Gordon with Umphrey’s McGee – 11/13/2009

Another collaboration at Vermont’s Higher Ground, here is Cactus sitting in with Umphrey’s McGee, taking over the bass duties from Ryan Stasik during the jam section of “In The Kitchen”.

Umphrey’s McGee ft. Mike Gordon – “In The Kitchen” – South Burlington – 11/13/09

[Video: chriscoekid]

6. Mike Gordon with Gov’t Mule – 5/3/2003

Anyone familiar with Gov’t Mule is probably aware of the band’s terrific Deep End releases that feature a great cast of musicians, Gordon being one of many. Here they are digging into Allen Toussaint‘s “On Your Way Down”.

Gov’t Mule ft. Mike Gordon – “On Your Way Down” (Allen Toussaint) –  New Orleans, LA – 5/3/03

[Video: Steve Midgley]

7. Mike Gordon with Marco Benevento – 5/31/2014

Next is another great little jam sesh with keyboard extraordinaire Marco Benevento and Gordon during the 2014 Burlington Discover Jazz Festival. These two share a strong connection going all the way back to the time they spent playing together during the second Phish hiatus.

Marco Benevento w/Mike Gordon – “Jam” – Burlington, VT – 5/31/14

[Video: Joe Adler]

8. Mike Gordon with Victor Wooten – 2007

What happens when you throw two of the most prodigious bass players of their time, Mike Gordon and Victor Wooten, together? A whole lotta bass! Check out this great practice session recorded at Wooten’s Bass And Nature Camp also featuring Tony Trishka’s son, Sean, on drums.

Victor Wooten, Mike Gordon, Sean Trishka – “Improv Jam”

[Video: THE MUSICIAN NETWORK (TMNtv)]

9. Mike Gordon with Phil Lesh – 08/01/2013

All the way from Phil Lesh’s Terrapin Crossroads in San Rafael, CA, this terrific version of the Grateful Dead’s “He’s Gone” features Gordon on lead vocals.

Phil Lesh & Mike Gordon – “He’s Gone” – San Rafael, CA – 8/1/13

[Video: LazyLightning55a]

10. Mike Gordon With Trey Anastasio Acoustic – 07/06/2008

In one of his first performances back from drug court, Phish guitar player Trey Anastasio was slated to play an acoustic set for the Rothbury Festival. It turned out to be a rejuvenation for Anastasio as well as Phish, as the beloved jam band reunited months later. Here is Gordon sitting in with Trey on the Phish classic “Chalk Dust Torture”, which begs the question: Can I live while I’m young?

Trey Anastasio & Mike Gordon – “Chalk Dust Torture” – Rothbury, MI – 7/6/08

[Video: acstalker]

Happy birthday, Mike Gordon!

[Originally published June 3rd, 2015]