A joyous journey back home from Bhubaneswar turned into an unspeakable nightmare late on the Kataka-Sambalpur Road, claiming the lives of three young men.
The horrific hit-and-run incident occurred near Kottam under the Rasol police station limits in the Dhenkanal district.
According to preliminary reports, an unidentified speeding vehicle rammed into the scooty the youths were travelling on before fleeing the scene into the darkness. The impact of the collision was catastrophic. Two of the victims died instantly on the spot, while a third sustained critical, life-threatening injuries.
Alert locals rushed to the scene upon hearing the crash, immediately notifying emergency services. With the prompt assistance of a 108 ambulance, the victims were rushed to the Dhenkanal District Headquarters Hospital (DHH).
The critically injured youth was identified as Sikshya Prasad Sahu, a resident of Tala Sahi under the Rasol police limits. Recognising the severity of his condition, medical personnel swiftly referred him to the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack for advanced trauma care. Tragically, despite the best efforts of doctors, Sahu succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment, raising the overall death toll to three.
While the identities of the other two deceased youths are still officially being ascertained by authorities, local sources indicate they are residents of the College Chhak area in neighbouring Angul district.
Police have registered a case regarding the hit-and-run and launched an intensive manhunt to track down the driver and the unidentified vehicle involved in the tragedy.
