A drunken man and his five-year-old child fell off a river bridge while the duo was on their way home by a motorcycle in Agira village under Soro block of Baleswar district on Sunday.
Though the man was rescued by the villagers, the child drowned.
Reports said the incident took place while Airi Munda, who was in inebriated state, was returning to home with his son Bapun Munda after buying firecrackers in the evening.
After shopping, Airi consumed alcohol at a country liquor shop near the cracker shop. While they were returning home, Airi lost control over the vehicle and both fell off a bridge over river Kansa Bansa.
Fortunately, the man was fished out from the water, but the villagers failed to save his son.
Getting information, Fire Services personnel reached the spot to rescue the child, but their efforts went in vain due to the dakness.Following the incident, irate locals set the liquor shop, from where Airi had consumed alcohol, on fire.In the morning, an ODRAF team conducted a search operation in the river to trace the drowned child. Following hours of search, the body was recovered from the river.