Jajpur: A pall of grief has descended on Gobandia village under Bikramtiran Panchayat in Barachana block in Jajpur district after a double tragedy struck the Paramanik family.
A 15-year-old Class 10 student died of a snakebite, and her 75-year-old grandfather succumbed to a heart attack upon hearing the news of her death.
According to reports, Ankita Priyadarshini (15) was bitten by a venomous snake late Thursday night while sleeping at home.
After she alerted her family, she was rushed to Mahanga Community Health Centre, and later referred to SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack as her condition worsened. Despite efforts, doctors declared her dead during treatment.
When her body was being brought back to the village after post-mortem, her grandfather Babaji Paramanik (75) suffered a heart attack on hearing the news. Though he was immediately rushed to a hospital, he died on the way.
The sudden loss of both granddaughter and grandfather plunged the entire village into mourning. Their last rites were performed together at the village cremation ground in a heart-wrenching scene.
Several villagers visited the bereaved family to pay their last respects and offer condolences.