Bhubaneswar: Three youths died after being hit by an unidentified vehicle on the Bansadhara River Bridge under Gumuda police outpost limits in Rayagada district in the wee hours of Wednesday.
The deceased have been identified as Bulu Sabar and Subrat Sabar from Kaithapadara village under Gunupur block, and Balakrishna Arka from Jagannathpur village.
According to police, the three youths were on their way to witness the Thakurani Yatra at Karini village when the accident occurred.
The trio was travelling on a motorcycle when an unknown vehicle hit them and fled the scene. Two of the youths died on the spot, while the third was rushed to Gunupur Community Medical Centre in critical condition, where he succumbed to his injuries during treatment.
The bodies of two victims have been kept at Padmapur Community Health Centre, while the third remains at Gunupur Medical.
Police have launched an investigation and a manhunt to trace the vehicle and the driver involved in the hit-and-run.