A couple was killed and six other persons, including a one-year-old baby, were injured when a trailer hit an SUV by which they were travelling near an over-bridge at Jamujhadi under the Soro police station in Baleswar district late on Friday night.
The deceased couple was identified as Deepak Maiti and Juli, sources said.
According to reports, the accident took place when the SUV was on its way to Khantapada from Cuttack. The trailer hit the car from rear killing the couple on the spot and injuring the five others.
The victims had gone to Cuttack to see a relative who is undergoing treatment in a hospital there.
Five of the injured were identified as Sabita Mandal and Deepak Mandal of Khantapada and Sambit Nayak, Kavita Nayak and the baby of Sheragada.
The ill-fated vehicle of Scorpio make was being driven by its owner Manoj Nayak, who might have dozed off while driving. Nayak too sustained very critical injuries and was fighting for life in the hospital.
The injured were initially admitted to the Bhadrak Government hospital and later shifted to the SCB Medical College Hospital in Cuttack as their conditions deteriorated.
Police reached the spot and started investigation. The driver of the trailer fled the scene with his vehicle.