Betnoti: In a tragic mishap, two persons were killed while three others sustained critical injuries after a truck rammed into a tractor in Betnoti in Odisha's Mayurbhanj district in the wee hours today. The accident took place on NH 18 near Agria village within Baisinga police limits at around 5 am. 

The deceased were identified as Atul Bharati from Meerut in Uttar Pradesh and Sundar Dodh of Karnal in Haryana. They were engaged as labourers with a contractor here. The injured victims Pradeep Ranjan, Bikas Kalyan and Karan Bhatnagar, all from Haryana, are undergoing treatment in Betnoti hospital and are critical. 

As per reports, the five of them were heading from Baripada to Balasore on their tractor when a truck rammed into their vehicle and sped away. The collision was so deadly that Atul and Sundar died on the spot while the others sustained grievous injuries. The tractor too was severely damaged in the mishap.

Meanwhile, on getting information, Betnoti and Baisinga police reached the spot. They recovered the bodies and rescued the injured victims. The latter were immediately rushed to Betnoti hospital where they are currently undergoing treatment. 

Police said a case has been registered and efforts have been initiated to nab the accused truck driver.