Keonjhar: In a tragic incident, four persons were killed and four others injured after a SUV in which they were travelling overturned at Somagiri under Pandapada police limits in the district late on Wednesday night.
The SUV carrying 11 persons was coming to Jirang near Harichandanpur in the district while the vehicle lost control and rammed into a road side tree before skidding 10ft off the road. Of the 11 persons, four died on the spot while four others sustained critical injuries.
The injured persons have been identified as Mata Naik, Surendra Marandi, Rebati Raj and SK Kamar. The identity of the deceased persons is yet to be ascertained.
Locals informed the '108' ambulance which reached the spot and shifted the injured to district headquarters hospital. The condition of two of the injured is stated to be critical.
"We received four injured persons at around 4 am and admitted them immediately. Two of them sustained minor injuries while the condition of two others is critical. Later, four bodies have also reached for post-mortem," informed Dr Uttam Chandra Nayak, Emergency Medical Officer at the district headquarters hospital.
The accident occurred because of the driver falling asleep during driving, one of the injured persons said.
All the travellers belong to Hatabadala area in Mayurbhanj district, sources said.
On being informed, police reached the spot and started the rescue operation. The bodies have been seized for post-mortem, police said. A case has been registered in this connection, they added.