Bhubaneswar, Apr 28: A horrifying collision between a pickup van and a motorcycle near Marlad of Balangir district in claimed the lives of two children instantly, while another child succumbed to injuries at the hospital.

The victims belonged to a family from Lesunbahali village under Titlagarh Police limit, who were traveling in the pickup van to attend a wedding ceremony.

Out of the six passengers, two children died on the spot, three sustained critical injuries, and the driver was also seriously hurt. Local residents rushed to rescue the injured and shifted them to Titilagarh hospital.

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Due to the severity of their condition, the critically injured children were later transferred to Bhima Bhoi Medical College and Hospital in Balangir. Police have seized the vehicles involved and initiated an investigation into the accident.

In another incident on National Highway 16 near Kuhudi, a speeding truck rammed into a motorcycle from behind, killing the rider, Kailash Sahoo, aged 62, a resident of Baula Bandh village in Chilika block.

He was traveling towards Bhubaneswar when the accident occurred near Kochila Chhak. Though Tangi police rescued him and admitted him to the local health centre, doctors declared him dead upon arrival.

Adding to the day’s tragedies, a head-on collision between two motorcycles at Mangala Jodi road in Tangi resulted in the death of one rider and left another critically injured.

The deceased was identified as Kungu Majhi, 50, while the injured, Badal Behera, 25, was shifted to Bhubaneswar for advanced treatment. Tangi police have seized both motorcycles and are investigating the matter.