Mangled remains of the lorry at the accident site near Dwarsuni in Bangriposhi, Mayurbhanj. Telegraph picture

Balasore, April 25: Six persons were killed when a scrap-laden lorry, in which they were travelling, fell from a height of 60 feet on a hilly road at Bangiriposhi in Mayurbhanj district early morning today.

Four persons suffered injuries in the accident. The deceased, mostly labourers, are yet to be identified.

The mishap took place near Dwarsuni temple, between Bangriposhi and Baripada, about 40km from the district headquarters.

The driver seemed to have lost balance while negotiating a sharp turn on the road. The vehicle was badly damaged. Police rescued the injured with the help of local people.

The deceased included the driver and the helper. The four injured were taken to government-run district hospital. All of them are said to be critical.

“The injured have been shifted to Baripada headquarters hospital,” said Dillip Sahu, inspector in charge of Bangriposhi police station.

The truck belongs to one Ajay Pradhan of Balasore. The police believed that the victims belonged to Bhimpur of Remuna.

Apart from the driver and the cleaner, others were casual labourers, who must have been hired by the driver for loading and unloading of scrap iron material.