Tragedy struck near Barapada village under Uchhbali Panchayat of Champua block in Keonjhar when a fertiliser-laden pickup van lost control and crashed into a residential compound, killing two people.
At approximately 7 PM, the van (OR05AR 9128) was en route from Nandapur to Parudipashi when it veered off course, smashed through a gate, and overturned onto the verandah of Surjyamani Mohanty’s house.
The accident critically injured 65-year-old Hira Mohanty, who was sitting on the verandah, and 15-year-old Gotu Munda, son of Lalia Munda from Nandapur Munda Sahi, who was seated atop fertiliser bags in the van.
Both victims were rushed to the Bhandagoshthi Health Centre, where doctors declared them dead on arrival. Baria police arrived at the scene, took custody of the bodies for postmortem, and launched an investigation into the incident.
