BARGARH:IN a tragic incident, three persons, including two school students, died after the motorcycle they were going on was hit by an excavator at Petupali under Melchhamunda police limits in the district on Tuesday.
The two students, identified as Akash Kumbhar (14) and Koustuv Bhoi (14), natives of Chhuriapali village under Sohela police limits, were returning home walking after attending tuition at Ghess village when they requested Debendra Pradhan (27), a resident of Dangar Kermeli village, going on a motorcycle for a lift on the bike.
While on the way, an excavator hit their motorcycle, killing all three on the spot. The excavator was engaged in Biju Expressway construction work at Petupali when the incident occurred.Soon after the accident, irate locals set the excavator, water tanker and three trucks besides camp office of the construction firm on fire and blocked Padampur-Sohela Biju Expressway for more than four hours at Petupali. They also blocked the road demanding permanent solution to check recurrence of such incidents, adequate compensation for the families of victims.
The impasse was resolved after Bargarh Additional Superintendent of Police Jasobanta Senapati and Padampur Sub-Collector Daulat Chandrakar rushed to the spot and held discussions with the agitators.
Terming it an unfortunate incident, Chandrakar said `10,000 each from Red Cross fund has been disbursed among families of the victims. The construction firm will also provide `2 lakh compensation to each family, administrative sources said.
Senapati said stringent action will be taken against the person found responsible for the mishap. Besides, steps will be taken to check recurrence of accidents at the spot, he added.