4 youths die as bike plunges off bridge

Bhopal: Four youths were killed after a speeding motorcycle carrying all of them lost control and plunged off a culvert on the Mandla–Jabalpur highway in Mandla district late Saturday night, police said.The accident took place near Bhainswahi village under Bijadandi police station limits when the rider reportedly lost control and the bike fell off a culvert. All four riders died on the spot, and their bodies were later shifted to a hospital. The victims were identified on Sunday as Pramod Kumar Nareti (24), Santalal Uikey (23), Shivam Yadav (17) and Ganga Ram Uikey (22)."The bridge from which they fell was more than 10 feet above ground. And primarily, falling from the bridge after losing balance seems to be the reason that led to the accident. Initially, the deceased could not be identified; it was during the early hours on Sunday that they were identified. Post-mortem of the bodies was done and they were handed over to kin. A case has been registered and further probe is going on," Bijadandi police station incharge Anita Kudape told TOI.Police said preliminary investigation suggests overspeeding and loss of control led to the crash. Further probe is underway.