Rourkela, Oct. 17: A search operation is on for the vehicle, which killed three persons of a family in a road accident near the Taladihi mines on the Barsuan-Tensa Road yesterday.

The road is a hilly pass, which falls in Lahunpara police limits. The accident spot is nearly 70km from Rourkela. The trio, who died in the mishap, were siblings and riding a motorcycle on their way back home.

Lahunpara police station sub-inspector Subrat Meher said: "Chimay Nayak, 20, Sanjay Nayak, 23, and Ranjan Nayak, 22, were on their way to Bonai. The incident took place deep inside the jungle near the Tarini temple around 200 metres from Taladihi."

Ranjan, who was riding the bike, died on the spot, while the two pillion riders had been found in a serious condition. Local residents said they saw a red vehicle zip past. But, the police are not sure whether it was the same vehicle that had caused the accident. "We are waiting for a report from the motor vehicle inspector, and only then, we would be able to throw any light on the accident," said Meher.

The residents also spotted a motorcycle lying abandoned near the spot. But the extent of damage caused to the motorcycle was very negligible. There were only damages on the front portion of the bike. The villagers informed the police and the cops rushed to the spot.

"They were shifted to Koira Hospital in a critical condition, and doctors referred them to Ispat General Hospital in Rourkela," said Meher.

"The distance between Koira and Rourkela is about 107 kilometres and condition of the road is appalling. So, by the time the injured reached Rourkela, the doctors declared them dead," he said.

"The search is on to identify the vehicle. But it becomes a tough task for us since we have neither a clue nor a witness," he said.

However, he also said: "We are also presuming that the bike riders might have fallen due to rash riding after losing control over the two-wheeler, and a heavy vehicle might have run over them."