Nayagarh, Nov 9: Three persons were killed and one sustained critical injuries after an ambulance carrying a dead body crashed near Shalabhanga forest on National Highway-57 in Odisha's Nayagarh district on Sunday evening.

The accident took place around 5.30 pm under Banigochha police station limits.

The ambulance was travelling from Bhubaneswar to Deogaon in Balangir district, carrying the body of Ishwar Sahu along with his relatives.

According to reports, the driver allegedly lost control of the speeding vehicle, which rammed into a culvert wall. All occupants sustained serious injuries.

Banigochha police rushed to the spot and shifted the injured to Dashapalla Community Health Centre.

However, three persons, including Pratap Bag and Shirsha Bag, succumbed to their injuries during treatment.

Raju, son of deceased Ishwar Sahu, was critically injured and is undergoing treatment.

Police have launched an investigation to ascertain the exact cause of the accident.