Keonjhar: The joyous Raja celebration was marred by two road accidents, involving motorcycles, within 2km of each other in Odisha’s Keonjhar district, which claimed lives of five people, on Sunday.
The first tragedy struck near Baitarani bridge when a speeding vehicle rammed into a two-wheeler. The victims have been identified as two brothers, Akshaya Sanangi (40) and Laxman Sanangi (32), residents of Kuanra. They were reportedly returning home when the fatal hit-and-run occurred.
The second accident took place at the nearby Kuanra Square near the Mangala Temple when a speeding truck, reportedly travelling from the wrong direction, collided head-on with a motorcycle. All three youths riding the motorcycle died on the spot. The deceased, identified as Suresh, Shankar, and Dola, all residents of Padakasada village, were travelling toward Tentulikhunti when the killer truck struck them.
Kanjipani police have launched an investigation to trace the truck driver, who fled the scene soon after the accident, and identify the vehicle involved in the first hit-and-run.
