Gunupur: In a tragic mishap, three youths died after their bike was hit by a speeding car on the bridge over river Bansadhara in Odisha's Rayagada district here late on Tuesday night. The mishap took place within Gumuda police outpost limits. 

The deceased were identified as Bulu Sabar and Subrat Sabar of Kaithapadar village in Gudari block and Balakrishna Araka of Jagannathpur village. 

As per reports, the trio was returning on a bike from Thakurani Yatra,a popular festival in neighbouring Tarini village, when a car recklessly hit their two-wheeler from behind and sped away. The collision was so deadly that the three youths were thrown off their bike and fell at a distance. While two of them died on the spot, one of them was immediately rushed to Gunupur community health centre in a critical condition but he succumbed during treatment. 

Bodies of two youths who instantly died were taken to Padmapur hospital while that of the third deceased is at Gunupur hospital where he was undergoing treatment. 

Police, on getting information reached the spot and started investigation. Meanwhile, villagers demanded justice and compensation for the bereaved families and arrest of the accused driver.

Following the mishap, a pall of gloom descended in the area as news of the tragic deaths spread.