Dhenkanal, July 23 (UDN): A wedding celebration turned tragic in Odisha’s Dhenkanal district after a car carrying seven people skidded off the road and plunged into a roadside pond late on Wednesday night, leaving five passengers dead and two others injured.
Representational Image
The accident occurred near Indipur-Chhatia village under the jurisdiction of Dhenkanal Sadar Police Station when the occupants were returning home after attending a wedding function.
According to preliminary reports, the driver is believed to have lost control of the vehicle, causing it to veer off the road before falling into the pond. The car submerged completely, trapping the passengers inside.
Rescue Operation
Local residents, along with police and emergency personnel, rushed to the spot and launched a rescue operation. Two occupants were rescued alive from the submerged vehicle, while five others were found trapped inside.
Officials said the victims are suspected to have died due to suffocation after remaining trapped underwater. The exact cause of death will be confirmed after post-mortem examination.
Victims Identified
The deceased have been identified as:
- Chandrakant Swain
- Abhijeet Sahoo
- Shriram Sahoo
- Rakesh Sahoo — all residents of Bangurisingh village
- Avinash Sahoo, a resident of Dhenkanal
The two injured survivors, along with the bodies of the deceased, were shifted to the Dhenkanal District Headquarters Hospital.
Probe Underway
Police later recovered the vehicle from the pond and have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the accident. Investigators are examining whether speeding, poor visibility, driver error, or any mechanical failure contributed to the crash.
The incident has left the victims’ families and the local community in mourning, turning what began as a joyful wedding celebration into a night of grief. Authorities said further details will emerge after the investigation is completed.