Bokaro, April 12: The Sarhul festival ended in tragedy for a troupe of more than 18 dancers last night when the trekker in which they were travelling met with an accident in which two were killed and 14 injured.

The dancers, hailing from Santhal Lagla bustee in Chandankyari block, had come to attend Sarhul festivities at Bahtua village in Sector IX. They were returning home when the incident occurred at Galgaltand village, about 26km from Bokaro steel city.

The two who died on the spot are 25-year-old Kotan Manjhi and cleaner of the trekker Mithun Datta, alias Banka Datta (20). The injured include two children. They are undergoing treatment at Bokaro general hospital and private nursing homes in the city. The condition of two is stated to be serious.

According to eyewitnesses, the trekker, which started its journey from Bhatua around 11.30pm, lost its control and rammed into a roadside tree as it reached Galgaltand village. The driver fled leaving behind the trekker.

Later, local villagers rushed to the rescue of the passengers.

Officer in charge of Chandankyari Nand Kishore said they were searching for the trekker’s driver.