Balasore, June 21: Five people were killed and three sustained serious injuries when an autorickshaw collided head-on with a mini truck near Kendupal bridge in Betnoti area of Mayurbhanj district.

The injured have been shifted to Betnoti hospital and the condition of two of them is said to be critical. The victims aged between 25 and 30 are residents of Kuliana. The deceased were identified as Tuna Nayak (driver of the autorickshaw), Gangadhar Nayak, Rabindra Nayak, Dhanu Nayak and Hamid Nayak.

“A case has been registered under sections 279, 337 and 304(a) of IPC,” said Sudharshan Dash, inspector in-charge of Betnoti police station.

“The driver of the mini truck abandoned his vehicle and fled from the spot. However, there was no traffic disruption due to the mishap,” added Dash. The victims were returning from a wedding. They hailed from Sahari village and had gone to Junapada village to attend the wedding. The mini truck was carrying flour bags.

In another road mishap, two people were killed near Chalant. The deceased included a woman travelling in a bus and a truck driver. The truck hit the bus in which the woman was travelling. She was identified as Mami Mohanty, 15.