Three orchestra artists die in Saran accident

Patna: Three members of an orchestra group, including a woman, were killed and more than six others injured after their pickup van collided head-on with a truck on NH-531 in Saran district on Friday, barely two days after four orchestra artists from Uttar Pradesh lost their lives in another road accident in the district while returning from a wedding programme in Chhapra.

The accident took place near Banwar-Sadhpur Chowk on the Chhapra-Siwan main road when the troupe was returning to Chhapra after performing at a wedding in Chainpur village of Siwan district. The impact was so severe that the pickup vehicle was badly mangled.

Police identified the deceased as Sanjeet Kumar Manjhi (20), Jitendra Manjhi (18), both from Lohri village in Saran, and Sonath Kumari (21) from West Bengal. Two victims died on the spot, while the woman artiste succumbed during treatment.

The injured were admitted to Chhapra Sadar Hospital, while three critically injured persons were referred to Patna Medical College Hospital (PMCH).

Among the injured are Jaya Kumari, Pinki Kumari, Alpana Mandal, Laghu Kumar, Manu Rai, Vicky Rai, Anuj Kumar and Kalu Kumar.

Injured dancer Pinki said, “Near Banwar Dhala, the driver fell asleep and steered towards the field. Another person turned the steering back to the road to avoid the field. But the pickup hit an oncoming truck.”

Daudpur SHO Nirbhay Kumar said over-speeding and negligence of pickup driver appeared to be the reason behind the accident.
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