At least two persons were killed and eight sustained serious injuries after a pickup van veered off a steep cliff at Ramitekhola of Pahadi VDC in Morang last night.

The ill-fated van (Ko 1 Ja 1755) en route to Ramite Bazaar from Tandi locality plunged downhill over the cliff towards the Dwase river at Ramitekhola – 2 killing Siddhi Rai, 18, of Ward No 7 on the spot. Sandeep Rai, 15, of Sakfara – 1 of Ilam succumbed to injuries on the way to Biratnagar for treatment.

The injured passengers have been identified as Nanda Kumar Rai, 25, Padam Rai, 26, Umesh Gurung, 28, Dillip Rai, 18, Sabin Rai, 13, of Ramitekhola – 2; Tijan Rai and Sabin Rai, 17, of Ramitekhola – 7 and Arjun Rai of Ramitekhola – 9.

They are receiving treatment at Neuro Hospital in Biratnagar, said Inspector, Raj Kumar Rai, of Area Police Office, Urlabari.

The driver of the pickup truck fled the scene after the accident, according to police. RSS