BHAIRAWA: Three persons died and five others sustained injuries after the jeep they were travelling on plunged into a river in Sandhikharka Municipality of Arghakhanchi district today morning.

The deceased have been identified as jeep driver Sumanta Bhusal of Dharapani in Bhumikasthan Municipality-3 and Rudra Prasad Bhusal of Malarani Rural Municipality in the district. Identification of the third person killed in the accident is yet to be established.

According to Federal Traffic Police Office-Butwal in Province 5, the jeep (Lu 1 Ja 1329) heading towards Sandhikharka from Krishnanagar of Kapilvastu district reversed and plunged 300 metres into Supakhola, following the vehicle's brake failure on the inclined road at Supadeurali, at around 11:00 am today.

According to Police Constable Nawaraj Kunwar deployed from Thada-based Area Police Office for the onsite inspection, two persons including the driver died on the spot while Rudra Bhusal succumbed to injuries on the way to Thada Health Centre. Constable Kunwar said that the jeep was carrying a total of eight persons including the driver.

Meanwhile, four of the injured are receiving treatment at a health facility in Butwal while another one at Thada Health Centre. Three of the injured receiving treatment in Butwal are said to be in critical condition.