Four persons killed, four injured in accident

At least four persons, including three children, were killed and four others injured, when an auto-rickshaw in which they were travelling, collided with a truck near Gandhi Chhak on the National Highway no-5(A) in the early hours today, police said.
Eight members of two families from Mahanga area had come to Mahavinayak temple yesterday to observe Maha Shiv Ratri. They were returning home in an auto-rickshaw when the mishap took place.
The autorickshaw collided with a goods laden truck coming from the opposite direction. While one person who was sitting in the front died on the spot, three others succumbed to their injuries at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack.

The victims were identified as Narahari Jena (50), Itishree Jena (5), Binati Jena (7) and Silu Jena, ,
The injured were undergoing treatment at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack where the condition of three persons was stated to be serious.
Fire brigade personnel with the help of the locals rescued the injured from the mangled vehicle and took them to the hospital.

The truck driver fled from the spot.
Immediately after the accident, the locals staged a road blockade at Gandhi Chhak along NH-5(A) demanding compensation to the families of the victims and the injured.
Vehicular traffic between Chandikhole and Paradeep was disrupted over an hour following the road blockade.

The blockade was later withdrawn after police intervention.