Raipur/Surajpur, May 6 (IANS) Three persons were killed when a pickup van carrying them overturned in the Chandni Biharpur region of Surajpur district of Chhattisgarh.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday near the Umzhar valley in the Moharsop outpost area when the pickup vehicle carrying people returning from a wedding-related ceremony lost control and overturned, police officials said.

Two people died on the spot, while another injured person succumbed during treatment, raising the death toll to three, said the police.

Around 30 members of the Pando family from Biharpur village had boarded a pickup truck to attend a “Chouthi” ceremony in Rasauki village. After the celebrations, they were returning home when the driver suddenly lost control near Umzhar valley, causing the vehicle to overturn, said the police officials.

The accident scene was filled with cries and chaos as the passengers struggled in the aftermath. Among the victims, Sita Kunwar Pando and Ramsharan Pando died instantly at the site of the accident. Another injured passenger, Basanti Pando, later succumbed to her injuries during treatment, the officials further said.

Nearly a dozen others sustained injuries, with three reported to be in critical condition.

The seriously injured were rushed to Ambikapur and Surajpur district hospitals, where they are currently undergoing treatment.

The police officials further said a few of them are under intensive care. Police reached the spot immediately after receiving information and, with the help of local residents, began rescue and relief operations.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the accident occurred due to the poor condition of the road.

The stretch where the vehicle overturned was a muddy, unpaved road made slippery by recent rains, which caused the driver to lose control.

The police have initiated a detailed investigation into the matter while families and villagers mourn the loss of three lives in what should have been a joyous occasion.

–IANS

sktr/spb