Kishanganj, March 8: Eight people died and 15 others were seriously injured when a pick-up van fell off Tedia bridge into a tributary of river Kol at a distance of 39km from Kishanganj town under Kochadhaman police station early this morning.

People from a nearby village rushed the injured to Kishanganj Sadar Hospital and Mata Gajari Memorial Medical College and Hospital.

The deceased were identified as Mohammad Jamil and Mohammad Sabir who had gone to Bhojpur in Araria district to attend a marriage ceremony. Babloo from Lohapati died at Sadar Hospital, Bhola Ram from Motibag, Anil from Tatibasti, Laloo Chakravarti from Chhediabagan, Babloo from Linepara and Mohammad Manarool from Chainpur of Bengal died on the spot.

A source around 4am, the driver of the vehicle lost control while negotiating a speed breaker on state highway 63 just on the approach of the bridge. The van fell approximately 100 foot below the bridge.

Ranjit Kumar Mishra, the superintendent of police, told The Telegraph: “Two seriously injured persons were referred to Siliguri for further treatment.” He said: “Since the team leaders died on the spot, it is difficult verify the details of all the injured people.”

In another incident, Babloo a worker of a wine factory, pushed a person into a bonfire near Kishanganj bus stand, said a source. The man suffered burn injuries on his face.

A police source said they have taken Babloo into custody and are waiting for the injured man to be discharged from hospital so that he could come and lodge a complaint before identifying Babloo.