BALURGHAT: Three people in their mid-20s were killed in a road mishap on Monday night. The accident took place at Paranpur on the outskirts of Balurghat on National Highway 512.
Police said on Monday night, motorcyclist Kishor Hazra (24) collided head on with a Maruti car at Paranpur while returning from Balurghat. Neither he nor his pillion riders, Ajay Barman (24) and Biswajit Haldar (23), were wearing helmets at the time of the accident, police said. A police night patrolling vehicle spotted and admitted them to Balurghat hospital. Kishor died immediately after admission while Ajay and Biswajit died on Tuesday morning. A car passenger was also seriously injured and has been undergoing treatment in a hospital. His condition is stated to be critical.
Police said Kishor, Ajay and Biswajit were close friends and had been residents of Patiram, 12 km from Balurghat.
An eyewitness said Kishor was riding his bike at more than 90 kmph when he lost control at a sharp curve at Paranpur and rammed with into the Maruti. The bike's handle broke on impact and the three flung off the bike.
They received multiple injuries as it was determined after the post-mortem.
"One of the victims was the winner of a lottery. They went Balurghat to receive the prize money. Preliminary investigation reveals that the trio had consumed liquor and the youth was driving recklessly without wearing a helmet," said a police officer. Locals said the road, at night, turns into an open track for youths for reckless driving.
Police seized both the car and bike.