Siliguri: Two young men were killed, and another was critically injured after a motorcycle and a scooter collided head-on on the old bridge at Jhanakar More in Siliguri in the early hours of Monday. 

The deceased have been identified as Arijit Pramanik, a resident of Goyerkata, and 17-year-old Shankar Singh, a resident of Ward No. 3 under the Siliguri Municipal Corporation. The injured youth, who was travelling on the scooter with Shankar, is undergoing treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU) of a private hospital in Matigara. His condition is reportedly critical.

According to local sources, Pramanik had come to Siliguri to visit a relative during Durga Puja. He was travelling from Airview More towards Jhanakar More when his motorcycle collided with the scooter carrying Shankar and his friend on the old bridge.

Police personnel from Khalpara outpost reached the spot after receiving information about the accident.

The injured youth was rescued and taken to the private hospital, while the bodies of the two deceased were recovered and initially sent to Siliguri District Hospital.

They were subsequently shifted to North Bengal Medical College and Hospital for post-mortem examinations.

Police suspect that excessive speed may have contributed to the collision. An investigation is underway to ascertain the exact circumstances of the accident and determine whether other factors were involved.