Five school students were killed and five others were grievously injured when a truck mowed them down on National Highway-16 in Odisha’s Bhadrak district on Thursday. The identity of the students could not be ascertained immediately.
The students were returning from Ranital High School after school hours and riding along the NH-16 when the truck hit them from behind, throwing them from far off from their bicycles. Five students died on the spot while injured were rushed to Bhadrak district headquarters hospital.
Angry locals immediately set the truck on fire as the driver and helper managed to flee the spot.
“Students were returning on their bicycles when the truck hit them 4.15 pm. The circumstances that led to the accident would be clear after a probe,” said Bhadrak Superintendent of Police B. Gangadhar.
Conveying deep condolence to the bereaved families, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced an exgratia of Rs. 2 lakh each to the next of the kin of the deceased. The injured students will be given treatment free of cost.
