Udala Road Mishap: Death toll rises to 5

Mayurbhanj: The death toll in the road accident at Udala reached five today after two critically injured succumbed while undergoing treatment at the Sub-divisional hospital here.

Earlier today, three persons were killed on the spot and 11 others sustained injuries when a pickup van in which they were travelling overturned on Sunday morning.

The incident occurred at around 10 am near Dama Sahi Chhak under Udala police limits when the victims, all labourers, were on their way to Jaida village for agriculture work. Suddenly the pickup van lost control and turned turtle, sources said.

According to reports, the pickup van was carrying 18 labourers. All the injured were admitted to the Udala Sub-divisional hospital. The condition of two labourers is still said to be critical.

All the deceased identified as Sridhar Mahalik (45), Laxmi Singh (25), Harihar Naik (27), Murali Naik (40), Rina Singh (40) belong to Managovindpur panchayat in Mayurbhanj district.

Expressing deep grief over the death of five persons, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia each for the family of deceased.