At least five persons died and seven others severely injured in a tragic road accident in Jajpur, Odisha, after an SUV hit a truck on Monday. The crash took place on the Daitary-Paradeep expressway around the boundaries of Jenapur police station.
The police officials said that the victims were members of a team of 12 passengers who were returning home after attending a wedding ceremony in Keonjhar district. The SUV was said to have crashed into a truck at high speed in the rear of the truck. The effects were so dire that the vehicle became entangled under the truck, causing colossal deaths.
Five of the passengers died instantly whereas seven others were critical. Emergency services rushed the injured to the Dharmasala and Badachana Community Health Centres. But on account of the severity of their condition, they were all ultimately referred to the SCB Medical College and Hospital Cuttack where they were to receive advanced care.
Police have confirmed that the deceased belonged to Purusottampur–Sanjaya Nagar village. The in-charge of Jenapur police station Nirupama Jena said the truck that caused the accident was escaping the scene as soon as the accident occurred.
The bodies have been taken to postmortem examination and a case has been registered. The police have initiated an investigation to trace the stolen truck and establish the exact cause of the accident with preliminary results showing that high speed and negligent driving may be the possible causes.
The tragic incident has left the local community in shock and mourning.