The deceased have been identified as Renuka Adhikari, 72, her sister-in-law Nari Maya Chauhan, 59, and her grandson Aanand Adhikari, 33, all of them from Phidim, according to Uttam Bhandari, chief of District Traffic Police office, Panchthar. All of them died on the spot. Renuka's son, Tika Ram Adhikari, and ambulance driver Gyan Nath Prasai of Surunga, Jhapa, sustained severe injuries.
They are currently undergoing treatment at B & B Hospital of Birtamod. The reason behind the accident has yet to be ascertained, but the police have said the driver may have lost control due to slippery road condition at night. The incident has left the whole Phidim mourning.
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