Ghatagaon: Two persons were killed on the spot and seven others sustained grievous injuries today afternoon as the vehicle in which they were travelling rammed into a banyan tree on the roadside near Ghatagaon College Chhak on Bahartipura-Nakajhari road under Ghatagaon block in Keonjhar.

The deceased were identified as Abhimanyu Patra who belonged to Binajhari village and Samad Khan who belonged to Uparadiha village, both under Ghatagaon block of the district.

According to a source, a picnic party had gone to Kalimati Dam near Ghatagaon earlier in the day for picnicking. It was on its way back home when it met with an accident.

“Driver of the ill-fated vehicle lost control of the four-wheeler and hit the tree,” an eyewitness said.

Some locals rescued the seven injured and sent them to a nearby health facility for treatment in critical condition. Later, they were shifted to the district headquarters hospital (DHH) in Keonjhar town after their condition deteriorated, a senior police official of the PS expressed.

On being informed, Ghatagaon police reached the spot and seized the two bodies and the vehicle. Police have launched a probe into the road mishap, which is underway.