Four auto-rickshaw passengers killed

Four persons were killed and one was injured when the auto-rickshaw carrying them was hit by a heavy vehicle near here in the district early today, police said.

The collision took place on NH-31 in Bhavanipur police station area and all the four passengers of the three-wheeler were killed, SP of Naugachhia police district Nidhi Rani said.

The deceased were identified as Ramchandra Ram (50), Sintu Yadav (30), Ashutosh Kumar Singh (40) and Mithilesh Yadav (48).

Rani said Sikandar Yadav, who owned and drove the auto-rickshaw, was seriously injured and he has been referred to a hospital in Bhagalpur.

"It is not clear what kind of vehicle had hit the three-wheeler. Its mangled condition suggests that it had been collided with a truck or a similar heavy vehicle," she said.

The SP said details would be known only after Sikandar's condition improves and he becomes able to give a statement.