Rayagada: At least four persons were killed and another sustained critical injury after a SUV carrying them hit a roadside tree near Tayaputa under Rayagada police limits here last night.
The deceased have been identified as Nari Majhi, Rabi Maji, Ajay Majhi and Pappu Muduli. They are residents of Kashipur and Dengaguda areas.
The mishap took place at around 1 pm last night when the victims were en-route to their homes after visiting five-day Chaiti mahotsav held in Rayagada district headquarters. It is suspected that, the driver of the Mahindra Bolero which they were boarding lost control over the wheels due to dense fog and ended up hitting a roadside tree near Tayaput.
The impact of the collision was so serious that all five victims died on the spot.
Local police reached the spot and rushed the injured to Rayagada District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) in critical condition. Later, it seized the mangled vehicle and rushed the bodies for portmorteim.
