In a tragic road mishap, three youths were drowned to death and one survived after the car they were travelling in plunged into a SMP (Subernarekha multi-purpose Project) canal at Ramgarh village under Chandil police station area in the adjoining Seraikela-Kharsawan district last night.

The local residents took out three victims from the car late last night, body of the fourth victim was recovered by the police from the canal water this morning. The residents had rushed them to  Brahmananda Narayana Multispeciality Hospital at Tamolia where two of them were declared as brought dead.

Those killed in the mishap were identified as Mohammed Wasim and Mohammed Salman, both residents of Azadnagar Road No 15 in Mango and Mohammed Sammi, a resident of Gulab Bag in Mango.  The one who survived the mishap has been identified as Mohammed Manowar, a resident of Chepapool area in Azadnagar in Mango.

All the four youths who were in their mid-twenties had come out of their homes for having tea at Pardih Chowk near Mango on NH-33 at about 8 pm.  As it was raining then, they changed their plan and instead decided to go to Chandil.

The victims were returning their homes in the car at about 9.30 pm.  While negotiating the NH-33 stretch near Ramgarh village, a truck was trying to overtake the car.  Salman made a turn toward left, but could not control the vehicle. As a result of his act, the car plunged into the canal.

The fourth youth had washed away while the three were being rescued.  Fortunately I was saved by the grace of God, but three of my friends were killed," narrated Mannowar who works in a local trnsport company.

OC, Chandil police station Adikant Mahto said the car fell into the canal, resulting in the death of three youths because the car was at a very high speed.

The OC said they recovered the body of Mohammed Sammi this morning after pressing a crane and making the SMP authority to stop releasing water in the canal.