Two separate road accidents in the State on Wednesday claimed lives of four persons besides injuring three others.
Two persons died and three others sustained critical injuries when a Tata Winger van hit two motorcycles near Hatibari under the Jujumura police limits in Sambalpur district.
According to reports, the van, which was on its way to Sambalpur from Redhakhol, hit a bike in its rear. Three persons were travelling by the bike. While one of them, Sunil Pradhan, died on the spot, two others were seriously injured. The driver of the van accelerated the vehicle in a bid to escape from the spot after the accident but ended up hitting another two-wheeler by which two persons were travelling. As a result, a youth died and another person was critically injured.
In another mishap, two youths were killed when a truck hit a motorcycle on NH-55 near Bamur in Angul district. The deceased were identified as Manoranjan Pradhan and lipu Rout, police sources said.
Reports said the victims had sustained head injuries and were to be admitted to the Kishannagar hospital by Fire Service personnel. However, both succumbed to their injuries on the way to the hospital.