Nagaon, Jan. 27: Nine persons were killed and 20 others seriously injured in two road accidents that took place in Karbi Anglong district bordering Nagaon today.

The first mishap occurred at Doboka in the Pub Jaroni area under Morajhar police station around 8am. Two persons, Abdul Karim and Rahimuddin, died on the spot while five others, including the driver, were seriously injured when a Doboka-bound Tata Sumo lost control and dashed against a culvert.

“Karim died at the Doboka community health centre while undergoing treatment while Rahimuddin succumbed to his injuries on the way to Nagaon civil hospital,” said Morajhar officer-in-charge A. Roy.

An hour later, an Umrangsu-bound overloaded Tata Sumo lost control and fell into a pond at Kheroni in the district around 9am.

Kheroni police said seven passengers who were travelling on top of the vehicle died, while the 15 who were inside the Sumo were injured. Of them, the condition of one is very critical. He has been admitted to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital.

The driver and conductor of the Sumo fled the spot.

“The accident occurred because of reckless driving, passenger overloading and bad road condition,” said a source in Kheroni police.

“This was the first vehicle of the day leaving Lanka for Umrangsu. Given the deplorable condition of roads, the vehicle with 24 persons on board (against its capacity of nine), was inviting danger,” said Ramnath Chauhan, a resident of Kheroni Mailo.