Girl killed, five critical after SUV hits auto in Balasore

Balasore: An 18-month-old girl was killed and four members of her family sustained critical injuries after a speeding SUV rammed into an auto-rickshaw in which they were travelling, near Khantapada on National Highway-16 in Balasore district on Friday.The deceased has been identified as Shruti Mahalik, a resident of Basubarhampur village in Balasore district. The injured includes her 30-year-old mother Ashrita, three other women, relatives of the deceased, and the auto-rickshaw driver, who is unrelated. All of them belong to the same village.Sources said the passengers were on their way back to the village from Soro after completing work at a finance company when the accident took place.The SUV, allegedly being driven at a high speed, crashed into the auto. The impact was so severe that the auto got mangled, leaving all six occupants grievously injured.Locals rushed to the spot and rescued the injured from the wreckage. They were initially taken to Khantapada hospital for treatment, where Shruti succumbed to her injuries.As the condition of the remaining five was stated to be critical, they were shifted to the district headquarters hospital (DHH) in Balasore.

Locals alleged the driver of the SUV tried to flee after the collision. However, they caught him before he could escape and informed the police.On receiving information, Khantapada police reached the spot and seized both the vehicles. Anurag Mohanty, IIC of Khantapada police station, said the driver of the SUV has been arrested and a case registered in connection with the accident.