In a tragic mishap, three persons died and six others were critically injured after the auto-rickshaw they were travelling in rolled into a 15-ft-deep gorge at Keradanga Ghat under Seranga Police limits in Gajapati district on Friday.
The deceased have been identified as Dali Kar, Luka Mandal, and nine-year-old boy Pratush Karji of Badapada, Kulesingh, and Jalanga villages respectively. The injured persons have been identified as the residents of K Baradanga, Jalanga, Badapada, and Nuagada villages.
According to sources, the ill-fated auto-rickshaw carrying nine passengers was heading toward Nuagada. As the driver was negotiating a turn at Keradanga Ghat, he lost control of the vehicle, resulting in the mishap.
Upon getting information, a team from the fire department rushed to the spot and launched a rescue operation. Later, a team from Seranga Police Station joined the fire personnel in the rescue operation. All the injured persons were first rushed to Khajuripada Community Health Centre (CHC) and then shifted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur.
The police recovered the bodies for post-mortem and have launched a detailed investigation to ascertain the circumstances leading to the mishap.