Sonepur, July 26: A tragic accident occurred on Thursday on the Sonepur-Sambalpur road near the Metakani temple, resulting in the death of three persons and leaving one critically injured.
The incident happened when a speeding pickup van struck four people who were having tea at a roadside stall.
The deceased have been identified as Raja Kumbhar from Ainlachhat village, Debananda Surujal, and Sushant Sahu from Matikhai village.
Karan Kumbhar, also from Ainlachhat village, suffered severe injuries. He was initially treated at Ulunda Health Centre before being transferred to Burla Medical College and Hospital for further care.
Eyewitnesses said that the pickup van, traveling from Sonepur, struck the group at high speed before fleeing the scene. Locals promptly rushed the victims to the hospital, where doctors declared three of them dead.
The police have launched an investigation to apprehend the driver of the van and have seized the bodies for post-mortem examination.