At least three women artistes of a theatre troupe were killed and four others injured, three of them critically, after the SUV in which they were travelling, skidded off the road and hit a roadside tree in Odisha’s Kendrapara district early today.

The accident took place near Ostapur under Sadar police station jurisdiction of Kendrapara during wee hours, police said.

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The victims were returning to Cuttack after a theatre performance in Naranpur village when the fatal accident took place.

Three women died on the spot and were brought dead at the District headquarters hospital here. Three of the critically wounded people were shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, police said.

The deceased and injured persons have been identified. They are natives of Cuttack city and adjoining suburbs, police said.

Reduced visibility due to foggy weather might have led to the head-on collision. This apart, the driver of the SUV might have possibly dozed off leading to the mishap. There is a hint of ‘sleep’ in the accident, police added.