Sonepur: The death toll in the accident in front of Saradhapali Government Upper Primary School on the Sonepur-Binika road in Subarnapur district today forenoon has risen to three.
Another student Rajesh Pera succumbed to his injuries while he was being shifted to Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR), Burla from the District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) here for advanced medical care.
He too was a student of class VI like Raja Pera and Subrat Bhoi who were rushed to the DHH after the accident and were declared dead by the doctors on arrival.
A class VIII student Kapil Bhue is undergoing treatment at the DHH.
According to reports, in the forenoon at around 11 AM a car was speeding towards Binika from Arjunpur end under Sonepur police limits.
Local people have alleged the driver of the car was driving it recklessly.
At this point in time, students of Saradhapali Government Upper Primary School were leaving the school for their homes after appearing for exams, when the overspeeding car rammed into them.
Four students were grievously injured in the accident. Three of them were critical. All the injured students were initially rushed to the DHH here.
Out of the injured students’ Raja Pera and Subrat Bhoi were declared dead by the doctors at the DHH.
Rajesh Pera was shifted to VIMSAR, Burla in critical condition. However, he succumbed to his injuries on the way to VIMSAR.
Kapil Bhue, the Class VIII student is undergoing treatment at the DHH here.
Locals of Saradhapur detained the driver of the car and handed him over to the police.
Angry locals have blocked the road demanding compensation to the families of the deceased children and stern action against the driver.
While palpable tension prevails in the area following the accident, Sonepur SP Amaresh Panda and Sub Collector Ipsita Panigrahi Mishra have rushed to the spot and are persuading the locals to vacate the blockade.