Tragedy: 7 members of a baraati die as car plunges into canal, 3 youths killed as bike rams into tree

By Suresh Kumar Dash

Sambalpur, March 31: In a tragic incident, at least seven members of a marriage party were killed while two others were left battling for their lives after the vehicle they were traveling in plunged into a canal on Thursday night. The driver of the vehicle was reportedly on the run after the tragic incident.

All the deceased were from Badadhara village under Lakhanpur block in Jharsuguda district. They were identified as Ajit Khamari, Subal Bhoi, Shatrughna Bhoi, Sumant Bhoi, Saroj Seth, Dibya Loha and Ramakant Bhoi.

According to sources, they had gone to Paramanpur in Sambalpur for a marriage party. The tragic mishap occurred while they were on their back home after attending the marriage ceremony.

Even though the exact reason behind the tragic mishap was not known immediately, it is suspected that the vehicle plunged into the canal after the driver lost balance over the wheels.

While six bodies have been fished out from the canal, the driver is on the run. On the other hand, the two critically injured have been admitted to Sambalpur District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) where their condition was stated to be critical.

“The lives of all the occupants could have been saved had the rescue team reached the spot on time. The accident occurred at around 2:30 am. We broke open the vehicle glasses and managed to save ourselves. All the injured were also breathing when we rescued them. But, no ambulance or oxygen support reached the spot following which six persons died,” said a survivor.

A case was registered in this connection and a probe has been launched.

In another tragic mishap, three friends were killed after the bike they were riding rammed into a tree at Patharagaon under Odagaon police limits in Nayagarh district.

The deceased were identified as Madhab Pradhan, Suryakant Pradhan and Rakesh Nayak. The incident occurred while the three were returning home after watching an opera show on the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami.

The bike rider lost balance and the two-wheeler rammed into a banyan tree, leading to their deaths on the spot.