Five people have died in a serious road accident that occurred in the Kumbukkana area of Monaragala early today (21).
Police said the accident occurred when a tipper truck travelling towards Wellawaya collided with a tractor travelling in the opposite direction on the Kumbukkana Kalu Bridge along the Wellawaya-Monaragala Road.
Eight of the 10 people travelling in the tractor were seriously injured and admitted to the Monaragala Hospital. Five of them later died while receiving treatment.
Police said the deceased were aged 21, 26, 31, 55 and 56 and were residents of the Dodamgaslanda, Buttala and Horabokka areas.
The other three injured individuals are currently receiving inpatient treatment at the Monaragala Hospital.
The drivers of both the tipper truck and the tractor involved in the accident have been arrested. Monaragala Police are conducting further investigations into the incident.
