Odisha: Youth, girl killed as pickup van hits two wheeler near Soro

Balasore: In a tragic incident, two persons including a girl on way to the Panchalingeshwar Temple were killed and another girl was injured after a pickup van hit their motorcycle on National Highway-16 in Soro area here in the district today.

The deceased persons have been identified as Chandan Rout of Asurali area and Simarani Swain of Nenjara locality in Bhadrak district.

According to reports, the trio was travelling on a motorcycle towards Panchalingeshwar Temple, the famous shrine of Lord Shiva in Balasore district, on the NH-16 at around 11.00 am when a speeding pickup van loaded with tomatoes hit the two wheeler from its behind near Chhapolia Chhak. The biker along with two pillion riders fell off the vehicle following which two died on the spot and another sustained serious injuries.

The injured person identified as Swapna Jena of Nenjara area was rushed to the Community Health Centre (CHC), Soro, for treatment.

On receiving information, Police reached the accident site and recovered the bodies.