Renowned folk dancer Queen Harish and three other folk artists were killed on Sunday when an SUV they were travelling in met with an accident in Jodhpur.

The accident, which happened on a highway near Kaparda village, also left five persons injured. The victims were travelling from Jaisalmer to Ajmer.

“Their vehicle rammed into a stationary truck which left Harish, Ravindra, Bhikhe Khan and Latif Khan dead. Five others were injured in the mishap,” Sitaram Khoja, SHO of Bilara police station was quoted as saying by PTI.

According to the police, Harish and others were travelling to Ajmer for an event. Family members of the deceased have reportedly arrived.

Harish Kumar, who was popularly known as Queen Harish, was a renowned dancer known for Rajasthani folk dance forms such as Ghoomar, Kalbelia, Chang, Bhawai and Chari.

Chief minister Ashok Gehlot condoled the deaths of the artists and particularly praised the Jaisalmer native for giving a new identity to the desert city.

“The death of four persons including the famous artist Queen Harish in a road accident in Jodhpur is very sad. Dedicated to the folk art and culture of Rajasthan, Harish gave a new identity to Jaisalmer with his different dance style. His death is a big loss to the field of folk art,” Gehlot said.

जोधपुर में हुए भीषण सड़क हादसे में ख्यातनाम कलाकार हरीश कुमार उर्फ़ क्वीन हरीश सहित चार लोगों की दर्दनाक मृत्यु बेहद दुखद है। #Rajasthan की लोक कला संस्कृति को समर्पित हरीश ने विशेष शैली में नृत्य कला से #Jaisalmer को एक अलग पहचान दी।उनका निधन लोक कला क्षेत्र में एक बड़ी क्षति है pic.twitter.com/M5qDQplWrw

— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) June 2, 2019

Many others expressed grief at Queen Harish’s death.

#QueenHarish So sad to hear we have lost a world renowned folk dancer in a car crash..may his soul rest in peace.. He will be truly missed..

— KhushbuSundar ❤️❤️❤️ (@khushsundar) June 2, 2019

Tribute to the World Famous Dancer from #Rajasthan, #QueenHarish who died in a road accident .
He will be missed and will never be forgotten. May his soul rest in peace 🙏 pic.twitter.com/wTefXGVeKe

— Dr. C.P. Joshi (@drcpjoshi) June 2, 2019

Tribute to the World Famous Dancer from #Rajasthan, #QueenHarish who died in a road accident .
He will be missed and will never be forgotten. May his soul rest in peace pic.twitter.com/wbo3oqQWVa

— Sitaram Lamba (@sitaramlamba) June 2, 2019