Pickup Van Hits Tea Stall Killing 3 in Sonepur District

Bhubaneswar: A speeding pickup van struck four persons consuming tea at a roadside tea stall near Metkani temple, killing three of them in Sonepur district on Thursday evening. Another person was critically injured in this accident on the Sonepur-Sambalpur.

The deceased were identified as Raja Kumbhar of Ainlachhat village, Debananda Surujal, and Sushant Sahu of Matikhai village. Critically injured Karan Kumbhar of Ainlachhat village has been admitted to the Burla Medical College and Hospital. Eyewitnesses said that the pickup van, travelling from Sonepur. After causing the accident, the pickup van fled from the spot. Locals rushed the victims to the hospital, where three were pronounced dead by doctors.

Police have started an investigation to identify and apprehend the driver of the accident-causing pickup van.