4 die as pick-up van collides head-on with auto rickshaw

Baripada: At least four persons were killed and another injured when an auto rickshaw in which they were travelling had a head-on collision with a pick-up van at Ragadha square under Betanati police station, 12 KM from here, late last night.

The deceased-Suresh Mahanta, Tukuna Dakua, Bana Singh and Raja Dehuri - were coming from their village to nearest Budhikamari square to fetch a generator for marriage ceremony while the pick-up van heading towards Balasore collided head-on with their vehicle on NH 5. Four of five persons died on the spot and another was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.

All the victims belong to Budhikhamari and Kathapala villages in Mayurbhanj district. Police rushed to the spot and seized the two vehicles. The bodies were sent to Baripada hospital for autopsy, police said.