Two youths lost their lives in a hit-and-run accident on National Highway No. 57 near Nampo Chhak in Balasore district early Sunday morning.
Gautam Sahu, 18, and Chandra Shekhar Mahapatra, 22, both residents of Baghua village, rode their motorcycle toward Jaleswar railway station around 3 am. An unidentified vehicle struck their motorcycle near Nampo Chhak and fled immediately. The collision killed both youths on the spot.
Local residents alerted police at the Nampo outpost. Officers rushed to the accident site and moved the bodies to G.K. Bhatar Community Health Centre in Jaleswar for post-mortem examination.
Police began an investigation to trace the vehicle involved in the hit-and-run accident. Authorities collected evidence from the scene and started inquiries with nearby checkpoints. The incident shocked the local community, which demanded strict action against reckless drivers on highways.
Family members of the deceased mourned the sudden loss. Villagers gathered at the health centre to console the grieving families. The accident highlighted the growing concern over rash driving and the lack of surveillance on highways.
Police assured that they would intensify patrols along the Jaleswar–Chandaneswar stretch of NH-57. They also urged commuters to remain cautious while travelling at night.
ALSO READ: Heavy Devotee Footfall at Puri Srimandir as Thousands Gather for Lord Jagannath’s Darshan
