Rayagada: In a tragic road accident, three persons were killed after their scooter dashed against an electric pole near Shephali Hills in Odisha’s Rayagada district.
According to preliminary information, the mishap occurred while the victims were returning after visiting the famous Rameshwar Shiva shrine on Friday night.
Sources said the accident took place after the brakes of a scooter carrying three people suddenly failed. The rider lost control over the vehicle, which crashed into an electricity pole on the roadside at the foothill.
The deceased have been identified as Sasmita Panda (33), a dance teacher from Gunupur town, and Shambhunath Das (55), a resident of Rajkanika area in Kendrapada district, and Sukumar Bhuyan (40).
Sources said that Sasmita Panda, a contractual employee at Gunupur Kendriya Vidyalaya and a dance instructor at the Indian Art and Culture Dance Research Centre, had gone the Rameshwar Shiva shrine at night. They were returning from the temple when the accident occurred.
Following the mishap, all three riders sustained serious injuries. The Gunupur fire department and an ambulance reached the spot after receiving information and shifted the injured persons to the Gunupur Sub-Divisional Hospital.
However, Shambhunath Das was declared dead by doctors. Sasmita Panda was later shifted to the Paralakhemundi Medical College and Hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries. Sukumar also succumbed to injuries while undergoing treatment, sources said.
Police have seized the scooter and launched an investigation into the accident. Preliminary reports suggest that brake failure may have caused the mishap.