Hemagiri: Two women labourers died while six others sustained injuries as the pick-up van they were travelling in met with an accident near Usatali Ghati under this police limits in Sundargarh district, Friday. The deceased were identified as Matibai Gandhaba and Semabai Gandhaba. According to sources, the pickup van (23-L-3912) was carrying labourers from Hemagiri village to Balaji company at Duduka when the driver lost control and the vehicle fell into a 10-foot deep gorge near Usatali Ghati killing the two labourers on the spot. Locals rescued the injured and rushed them to Hemagiri Community Health Centre for treatment.
Later two injured persons were shifted to Sundargarh District Headquarters Hospital as their condition deteriorated. Tension erupted at the mishap site with locals resorting to agitation in demand of compensation for the families of the deceased women. They staged a road blockade which led to the disruption of vehicular traffic in the locality. On being informed, Hemagiri police along with company officials reached the spot. The angry villagers relented after the declaration of Rs 1 lakh compensation and assurance to provide insurance money. Police seized the bodies and sent them for post-mortem.
