Ranchi/Hazaribag, March 14 Five people were killed and 14 others were injured in two separate road accidents in the districts of Ranchi and Hazaribag in Jharkhand on Saturday, police said.
In the Ranchi district, two people died on the spot after a speeding vehicle ran over a crowd at a local fair in Mankidihpa, under the jurisdiction of the Tatisilway Police Station.
Praveen Pushkar, the SP (Rural), said, "Two people were killed, and seven others sustained critical injuries in this accident. The injured have been rushed to the hospital for treatment. The vehicle has been seized, while the driver of the vehicle fled the scene."
Hanse Oraon, the officer in charge of the Tatisilway police station, said that the deceased have been identified as Bhola Sharma (65) and Rima Kumar (25).
In the Hazaribag district, three people were killed after a truck collided with multiple vehicles.
The accident occurred near Charhi Chowk on National Highway 33 on the Ranchi-Hazaribag road when the driver lost control of the truck, and it collided with three vehicles, including a bus, they said.
"Two people died on the spot, while the third succumbed to injuries during treatment. Seven people, who were passengers of the bus, sustained critical injuries and are undergoing treatment at Sheikh Bhikhari Medical College and Hospital," said Kundan Kant Vimal, the officer in charge of the Charhi police station.
In protest, locals blocked the route for more than five hours, demanding compensation for the families of the deceased and the arrest of the truck driver, Bishnugarh SDPO BN Prasad said.
Police assured the protesters that their demands would be looked into and persuaded them to clear the road, he added.