Three people were killed and another was critically injured after an ambulance carrying a body crashed in Odisha's Nayagarh district on Sunday evening, Sambad English reported. The accident took place at around 5.30 pm near Shalabhanga forest on National Highway-57, under the Banigochha police station area.

Source: Sambad English

According to the reports, the ambulance was travelling from Bhubaneswar towards Deogaon in Balangir district, carrying the body of Ishwar Sahu, with some of his relatives also travelling in the vehicle. Odisha Ray, reporting from Dasapalla, likewise said the ambulance was on its way from Bhubaneswar to Deogaon when it lost control.

Source: Odisha Ray

Driver lost control, vehicle hit culvert wall

Sambad English reported that the ambulance rammed into the wall of a culvert after the driver lost control of the vehicle, reportedly due to high speed, leaving the occupants seriously injured. Odisha Ray described the vehicle as having rammed into a road divider.

Police rushed to the spot after being informed, rescued the injured and shifted them to the Dashapalla Community Health Centre (CHC) for treatment, Sambad English said. Three of the injured, including Pratap Bag and Shirsha Bag, succumbed to their injuries while undergoing treatment.

Raju, the son of the deceased Ishwar Sahu, sustained critical injuries and was admitted to hospital. Odisha Ray reported he was admitted to the Nayagarh District Headquarters Hospital.

Police investigation under way

Police have launched an investigation into the accident to ascertain the exact cause of the crash, both outlets reported. The reports did not name the ambulance driver or give the ages of those killed.