Simdega: At least five people, including a couple and their three children, were killed and four others were seriously injured in a horrific road accident in Jharkhand’s Simdega district on Thursday, officials said. The incident occurred near Agharma on the Gumla-Simdega road under Kolebira police station limits when a Scorpio vehicle went out of control and crashed. A total of nine people were travelling in the vehicle. According to reports, the passengers were on their way from Lohardaga to Lasia to attend a family function when the driver lost control near Agharma, leading to the accident. The impact of the crash was severe, leaving the vehicle badly mangled. Panic gripped the spot following the accident. Local residents rushed to the site and initiated rescue efforts. They helped evacuate the injured from the vehicle. With police assistance, all the injured were later shifted to a hospital for treatment.

Preliminary information suggests that the deceased included a husband, his wife and their three children, while four others sustained serious injuries. However, officials said that detailed information regarding the identities of the victims and the exact death toll was yet to be officially confirmed at the time of the writing of this report. Police and administrative officials reached the spot soon after receiving information and supervised relief and rescue operations. An investigation into the cause of the accident is underway.

Meanwhile, Simdega MLA Bhushan Bara and Zila Parishad member Josima Khakha also visited the accident site, reviewed the relief work and expressed condolences to the bereaved families. Bara has urged the administration to provide compensation and other government assistance to the victims’ families as per norms. Local residents alleged that despite being informed, the ambulance did not reach the spot on time, causing delays in providing immediate medical aid to the injured.