Kendrapada: Toll in the accident, involving a fish-laden pick-up van at Duhuria on Cuttack-Chandbali road under Kendrapada Sadar police limits on Saturday night, rose to three with one among the critically injured succumbing at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack
One person, identified as Somanath Sahoo of Badagaon, had died on the spot after being hit by the speeding vehicle around 1 am, while Dibyajyoti Das of Banahara-Balia village breathed his last at the hospital.
According to sources, the accident took place when eight persons, carrying a Dola palanquin, were on its way from Balia Dola Melana to Duhuria Melana. The van was moving to Pattamundai.
The mishap is suspected to have occurred due to fog. While the driver fled the spot, police have seized the vehicle and begun a probe.