Rourkela: A couple and a six-year-old boy were killed, while five others, including three children, sustained critical injuries after the car they were travelling in collided head-on with a truck near Kaleiposh under Lahunipada police station limits in Sundargarh district on Wednesday evening.The deceased were identified as Subash Kerketta (37), who was driving the car, his wife Magdali Kerketta (35), both from Ranta village, and Teophil Munda (6), son of Siril Munda of Budabhuin village. They were returning home after visiting Durga Puja pandals in Rourkela when the accident occurred around 6.30 pm on SH-10A. Police said the truck driver fled the spot and remains absconding.According to police, the group, comprising four adults and four children from villages under Lahunipada police station limits, had gone to Rourkela to witness Durga Puja celebrations. While returning, their car collided with a speeding truck near a temple at Kaleiposh. Magdali and Teophil died on the spot, while six others sustained serious injuries.Locals informed police and helped rescue the occupants trapped inside the vehicle. The injured were taken to Lahunipada community health centre and later shifted to Rourkela Government Hospital. Subash succumbed to his injuries during treatment, taking the death toll to three. The five survivors, including three minor children and a two-year-old child, were shifted to a private hospital in Rourkela on Thursday and are undergoing treatment.Police conducted postmortem on Thursday before handing over the bodies to the families. Both vehicles have been seized. “We have seized both vehicles and efforts are on to trace the truck driver. He will be arrested soon,” said P K Pradhan, inspector-in-charge of Lahunipada police station. A case has been registered and an investigation is underway.