10 killed as truck, pickup van collide head-on in Odisha’s Sambalpur

Sambalpur: In a tragic incident, a head-on collision between a truck and a pickup van on NH-55 near Bhawanipali under Jujumura police limits in Odisha’s Sambalpur district today claimed lives of at least ten persons, including women and a child.

While four persons had died on the spot, others succumbed to injuries during treatment at hospital, reports said.

“Four persons were killed on the spot while three others succumbed to injuries at Sambalpur district headquarters hospital,” said a police official at Jujumura police station initially after the accident.

According to reports, the mishap took place when a twelve-wheeler truck bearing registration number OD-05AA-3827 dashed against a pickup van carrying around 12 persons to Sambalpur. Soon after the accident, the truck driver fled the spot.

The deceased were returning from Kalpeshwar Temple in Hatibari, sources added.

A manhunt has been launched to nab the driver, police sources said.

On the other hand, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakhs each for the families of the deceased and free treatment of the injured ones.