Cuttack/Khurda: Road accidents in the state have claimed six lives in the last 24 hours.
A woman was killed and three others were critically injured when the car in which they were travelling rammed into a roadside electric pole on NH 57 near Pichukuli in Bolagarh of Khurda district on Thursday morning.
The deceased was identified as Mandakini Jai Gumudia.
They were on their way to Cuttack from Manmunda in Phulbani when the accident took place and its severity can be gauged from the fact the electric pole completely uprooted.
The injured have been admitted to a nearby hospital and their condition is stated to be critical.
Close to this spot, another accident was reported in which four persons were injured after a truck rammed a roadside shop at Pichukuli Bazaar. The injured were admitted to a local hospital.
Police have seized the vehicle and efforts are on to nab the driver, who fled the spot immediately after the accident.
Five persons were killed the previous night after a car in which they were traveling collided head-on with a speeding truck at Aurandha village under Gurudijhatia police limits on NH-55.
While four persons died on the spot, one sustained critical injuries and was admitted to the SCB Medical College and Hospital, where he succumbed.
Three among the deceased were identified as Anil Das and Biswaranjan Das, two brothers from Mahulpada village in Dhenkanal district, and Papu Das of Athagarh.
According to sources, the five were returning home after attending a feast when the accident took place.
On being informed, police reached the spot and sent the bodies for post-mortem. Investigation into the accident is underway.
