Bhubaneswar: A brother-sister duo died while their mother was hospitalised in a critical condition after they consumed pesticides to end their lives in Bargarh district of Odisha today.

The deceased have been identified as Bansidhar Sahoo and her sister Subarna Mahajan of Masterpada under Sohela police limits in Bargarh. Their mother Kumudini Sahoo is now battling for her life at a hospital at Burla, sources said.

Kumudini and her two children were under severe mental stress after the death of her husband Arjun Sahoo on September 6.

Unable to bear the trauma, the bereaved family members consumed pesticides to end their lives by locking the main door of their house from inside at around 11 am today, villagers said.

On being informed, the police reached the spot and rushed the trio to Sohela Community Health Centre (CHC). They were later shifted to a hospital at Burla after their condition deteriorated, sources added.

Subarna died on the way to Burla while her brother Bansidhar breathed his last while being treated at the hospital, said a source.