3 killed, 5 injured in road accident in eastern India

NEW DELHI, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- At least three people have been killed and five others injured in a road accident in the eastern Indian state of Odisha on Friday, police said.

"The accident occurred when a car in which the victims were travelling collided head-on with a truck near Chandarpali in the state's Sambalpur district," a senior police official said.

While two persons died on the spot, another succumbed to his injuries at Burla Medical College and Hospital where the other injured are being treated, he said.

Eye-witnesses told cops the truck was travelling at high speed and the driver lost control of the vehicle, leading to the head-on collision with the car coming from opposite direction.

A probe has been ordered into the incident, the official said. "A manhunt has been launched to track down the truck driver who fled after the accident," he added.

India has the highest number of road fatalities in the world. Road accidents occur mostly due to poor driving or badly maintained roads and vehicles. Enditem