Rayagada/Berhampur, Apr 24: A series of tragic road accidents reported from Rayagada and Ganjam districts on Friday claimed four lives and left several others injured, raising fresh concerns about road safety across Odisha.

Twin Mishap In Rayagada
In Rayagada district, two separate accidents took place on the Sirijholi-Kaithapadar road under Gunupur police station area, a source said.

The first mishap took place near Bada Baridi under Jagannathpur gram panchayat, where a head-on collision between two motorcycles resulted in the death of Arka Bhugan and Shiba Mandangi.

Tripati Apraka sustained critical injuries, while Shankar Sabar suffered minor injuries. Following the mishap, the injured were initially admitted to Gunupur Subdivisional Hospital and later shifted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur for advanced treatment.

In another incident near Rengalpadar, a pickup van hit a motorcycle from behind, leading to the death of a police constable identified as Deepak Gouda. Kedarnath Gouda -- a relative of the deceased -- who was accompanying Deepak, was critically injured and was admitted to MKCGMCH.

Deepak Gouda was posted at the Rayagada Reserve Police Office and hailed from RK Nagar in Rayagada town, the source informed.

Scooter Crash in Ganjam
Meanwhile, in Ganjam district, a separate accident near Gundibira village under Surada police station limits claimed the life of Raju Behera, a 30-year-old man from Tareigunja village.

The victim died after the scooter he was riding crashed into a roadside tree, the source said.

The pillion rider, Anandi Behera, sustained critical injuries and was first taken to a hospital in Surada before being shifted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital for better treatment.

According to the source, the duo was returning to Pankalabadi village after attending an engagement ceremony at Podakhari village.

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Fire Service personnel and locals were involved in rescuing the injured and shifting them to the hospital.

In all aforementioned cases of mishap, the police in the respective areas have registered cases and launched investigations.

The back-to-back accidents have triggered concern among residents, with calls for stricter enforcement of traffic rules and improved road safety measures.

This story is compiled by Manisha Dhal.