Phulbani: In a tragic road accident, four persons, including a three-year-old child, were killed in a head-on collision between two motorcycles near Bunduli Square under Gochhapada police limits in Kandhamal district on Wednesday afternoon. A woman sustained critical injuries in the mishap.
The deceased have been identified as Babulal Kanhar (38), Baman Kanhar (35), and Kartik Kanhar (3) from Patilipidia village under Panga panchayat within Phiringia police station limits, and Tilu Digal (30) from Takeriguda village under Salaguda panchayat. Banita Kanhar, who was travelling with the Kanhar family, was seriously injured and is currently undergoing treatment.
According to reports, Babulal, Baman, Banita and little Kartik were travelling on a single motorcycle to visit a relative in the Gochhapada area. At around 3 PM, when they reached near Bunduli Square, their bike collided head-on with another motorcycle ridden by Tilu Digal, who was on his way towards Balandapada. The impact of the collision was so severe that all five sustained grievous injuries on the spot.
A local youth leader immediately rushed the injured to the Gochhapada Primary Health Sub Center in his vehicle. However, as their condition was critical, they were referred to the District Headquarters Hospital in Phulbani. Doctors there declared Babulal Kanhar, Baman Kanhar, Kartik Kanhar and Tilu Digal dead.
Police from Gochhapada police station reached the hospital, seized the bodies for post-mortem examination and have launched an investigation into the circumstances leading to the fatal accident. The incident has plunged the affected villages into mourning.
