The deceased have been identified as Rashtrapati Behera, a State Executive Member of the BJP and former chairman of Bangamunda block in Bolangi district, and his associate.

According to sources, the mishap occurred while Behera along with his associates was on his way to Bhubaneswar from Kantabanji in his SUV when it collided head-on with a truck. While Behera and his associate died on the spot under the impact of the collision, three other occupants of the car sustained grievous injuries. The injured were immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, sources added.

On being informed, police reached the spot and sent the bodies to the district headquarters hospital for post-mortem. Reportedly, the cops have also seized the mangled vehicles from the spot.