At least two persons reportedly lost their lives after a pickup van carrying PDS rice overturned on Singari ghat near Dharmagarh in Kalahandi on Tuesday.
As per reports, the van was enroute Barshikona village from Sindhipadar under Thuamul Rampur block when the driver lost control over the wheels and the vehicle overturned on the ghat.
While two persons reportedly lost their lives, nine others seriously injured persons were rushed to the nearby Kalampur Community health Centre (CHC) for treatment.
Sources said the passengers in the vehicle were bringing back the PDS rice to their village after receiving it from Thuamul Rampur block.
An eye witness from Barshikona village told OTV, “They were returning with the quota of PDS rice to their village when the brakes of the vehicle failed and the driver lost control over the wheels.”
“I can’t say how many were exactly travelling in that pickup as I was not in that van, but two persons have certainly died after they were thrown out of the vehicle due to the mishap,” he added.
The ambulance driver who ferried the injured to the hospital said, “There are more than a dozen people injured in the accident. I have brought six persons to the hospital. Other ambulances are bringing the rest.”
In Phulbani, two brothers were killed after being hit by an unknown vehicle near Model School at Dinthira village under Firingia police limits. Besides, the mother of the deceased duo, also sustained serious injuries in the accident.
Till the last report came in, the woman was admitted to Phulbani hospital in a critical condition.