Balangir, Jun 9: A woman and her daughter were killed in a road accident in Odisha's Balangir town on Tuesday morning after their scooter reportedly skidded on mud accumulated along a busy stretch of road before they were run over by a truck, a source said.

The deceased were identified as Sunita Nag and her daughter Shruti Nag from Talpali Pada area. Sunita was employed at a private nursing home and was reportedly travelling to work with her daughter when the accident took place near the Fisheries Office at Gandhi Nagar Para on a National Highway stretch passing through the town.

According to the source, the scooter lost balance after skidding on mud and slush that had accumulated on the road. Both riders fell onto the carriageway, following which a speeding truck coming from behind allegedly ran over them. The mother and daughter died on the spot.

After the accident, the truck driver fled the scene along with the vehicle. Police collected CCTV footage from the area and launched efforts to trace the truck and its driver.

Questions Raised Over Road Conditions
The incident also brought attention to the condition of roads in the town. Residents alleged that mud from ongoing waterbody restoration and development works had been spilling onto roads for several days.

As part of the project, soil excavated from ponds and water reservoirs is being transported through the town. Locals claimed that mud deposited by tractors and other vehicles was not being cleared regularly, making the road surface slippery and hazardous for commuters.

Residents and family members of the victims alleged that the accumulated mud may have contributed to the scooter losing balance moments before the collision.

Municipal Authorities Begin Cleanup
Following the accident, municipal authorities initiated cleaning operations on the affected stretch. Civic workers were seen removing mud and slush from the road in an effort to restore safer driving conditions.

The tragedy has triggered anger among locals, many of whom questioned whether better maintenance and timely cleaning of the roadway could have prevented the accident.

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Police Investigation Underway
On receiving information, police reached the spot, recovered the bodies and sent them to Bhima Bhoi Medical College and Hospital for post-mortem examination.

Police have intensified the investigation and set up checkpoints at various locations to identify the truck involved in the incident.