Siliguri: FIVE persons have lost their lives, while four are critically injured, in a road accident in Jalpaiguri district involving a marriage party. The deceased include two teenagers.

The accident took place early this morning at Jalpaiguri’s Toralpara when a Maruti Van was speeding down from Haldibari in Cooch Behar to Maynaguri in Jalpaiguri.

There were nine persons on board the vehicle who were part of the entourage of a bridegroom from Maynaguri, who went to Haldibari yesterday to marry. After the late night marriage, the members of the entourage were returning to Maynaguri very early in the morning.

Police said that there was dense fog all around and probably due to this, the driver of the Maruti Van failed to see a dumper truck that was moving ahead. The Van banged onto the dumper at a high speed and got twisted.

Five persons ~ Sabita Roy (36), Jaya Roy (42), Rajeswari Roy (43), Deepsikha Roy (13), and Joy Roy (14) died on the spot. Residents of the area rescued the remaining four in a critical condition and rushed them to Jalpaiguri Super-specialty Hospital. The condition of one of them, a minor girl named Lovely Roy, is extremely critical.

The deceased and injured are residents of Rajarhat area at Maynaguri.