R Udayagiri: A tragic accident Friday claimed the lives of three people and left 10 others critically injured when an auto-rickshaw carrying the passengers skidded off the road and fell 20 feet down the Kandama ghat near Keredang village under Seranga police limits in Gajapati district. The passengers from Nuagada block were returning from Keredang weekly market when the auto-rickshaw met with an accident and fell into a creek. Informed, police and fire personnel arrived at the scene immediately, rescued the injured passengers, and admitted them to Khajuripada CHC but later shifted them to MKCG Medical College and Hospital at Berhampur, police said.
According to sources, Luka Mandal (60) of Kulesingh village died at the spot, while Dolly Kar (30) of Badapada and Pratyush Karji (9) of Jalang succumbed during the treatment. The injured were identified as Jagannath Sahu (34) of Nuagada village, Sadhu Kar (38) of Badapada, Suresh Raita (40) and Lizamani Raita of Baradang, Gaya Sabara and Ashok Sabara of Abada village, Triveni Raita (40) of Jalang village, Ishudan Karada (55) of Keredang village and Gayatri Mandal of Tarajsingh village. The auto driver Sadhu Kar and Jagannath Sahu were rushed to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur, while eight others were later shifted to district headquarters hospital at Parlakhemundi from Khajuripada CHC.