Keonjhar/Raisuan: At least four persons were killed and five others were injured when the auto-rickshaw they were travelling in collided with a truck on National Highway-49 near Dangapani village in Keonjhar district Wednesday, police said.
The deceased were identified as Muna Patra (19), the auto-rickshaw driver, Siba Patra (24), Keshav Patra (35) and Benudhar Patra (19), they added.
The four were declared brought dead by doctors at the district headquarters hospital. While Muna and Keshav were casual labourers, Benudhar was on a visit to Keonjhar.
The injured persons – Runa Mahakur, Brahma Mahakur, Lulu Patra, Chagala Patra and Snehalata Mohanta – were admitted to the district headquarters hospital. Subsequently, three of them were shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack as their condition deteriorated, it was learnt.
According to police, the mishap took place when some labourers from Danla and other nearby villages in Banshapal block were on their way to Keonjhar in search of work in the auto-rickshaw. The impact of the collision was so severe that the auto-rickshaw was mangled beyond recognition.
Fire brigade personnel and volunteers along with locals rescued the injured from the mangled remains of the vehicle.
Sadar police seized the truck and started an investigation after sending the bodies for post-mortem. PNN