Joda/Keonjhar: In a tragic mishap, one Kaudia bhakt (devotee) died while two others sustained critical injuries following a deadly collision between their van and a truck in Joda in Odisha's Keonjhar district today. 

The incident took plcae on NH 520 within Champua police limits in the wee hours. The identity of the deceased has not been ascertained yet.  

As per reports, a group of Kaudias, popularly known as Bol Bam devotees, had come from Rourkela Sector 2 to the Murga Mahadev Temple in Keonjhar for the Jal Abhisekh (the ceremonial pouring of water on a Shiv Linga. After finishing the ritual, the devotees were heading towards Ghatagaon for darshan at the Maa Tarini Temple when a speeding truck rammed into their pickup van. The truck then sped away.

The collision was so severe that one of the Kaudias died on the spot. Two others were critically injured and immediately sent to hospital for treatment. 

Police on getting information arrived at the spot and started investigation. The body was seized for postmortem and futher details are awaited. A case has been registered and probe is underway to track the truck driver and ascertain the turn of events. Exact cause of death will also be revealed after autopsy, official sources said.