Four youths were killed and five others, including a woman, injured when a jeep plunged into a river after colliding head-on with a tractor in Chhattisgarh's Kanker district, police said today.
The incident occurred at an anicut on Khandi river last night, Bhanupratappur Station House Officer Bhavesh Sao told PTI.
As many as six youths were returning to their native place Faraskot village in a jeep from Bhanupratappur.
After covering a distance of around 5 km when they reached at Khandi river anicut, the vehicle fell into the river after colliding head on with a tractor which was carrying villagers, leaving four of them dead, the SHO said.
"One of the youths died due to the impact of collision while two others drowned as the vehicle fell into the river," he said.
Besides, another youth succumbed to his injuries during treatment at a local hospital this morning, he added.
The deceased were identified as Narottam Jain (23), Bhagatram Mandavi (21), Chandrashekhar (20) and Sampat (24), all working as contractors for Public Health Engineering (PHE) department, the SHO said.
"Their bodies were fished out from the river and handed over to their relatives after autopsy," he added.
Three passengers, including a woman, who were travelling in the tractor, are among five injured currently undergoing treatment at a local hospital, he said.
A case has been registered in this connection, he said, adding that further probe is underway.
