Berhampur: Siblings Manoj Kumar Swain, 23, and Anil Kumar Swain, 21, of Jhadabhumi village in Ganjam district were killed in a road accident on the Rishipur-Ratnapur road when they were coming to the city on a motorbike from Kodala.

The siblings were distributing invitation cards for the marriage of their sister.

When they were on the way to Berhampur, another vehicle hit them and sped away from the spot on Thursday afternoon.

Balaram Swain, 19, their cousin, who too was riding pillion, has suffered serious injuries and admitted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital.

He said: "The accident took place on the Rishipur-Ratnapur road. We had gone to Kodala from Jagannathprasad. We were on way to Berhampur from Kodala when a vehicle hit our bike from the back. The vehicle that hit us sped away from the spot."

Local villagers, fire brigade personals and police admitted them to Purushottampur Hospital, where Manoj succumbed to his injuries.

Anil died at MKCG Medical College and Hospital after he and Balaram were shifted there.

"We registered a case after their relative had lodged an FIR in the police station. We have handed over the bodies to their family members after post-mortem," said Purushottampur police station inspector-in-charge Ajaya Kumar Barik. Assistant sub-inspector Rabindra Nath Panigrahi is the investigating officer. Barik further said: "We have studied the circumstances on the spot. It is presumed that they were in inebriated state. Further investigation would reveal the truth."

The marriage was scheduled to be held on February 4.

"We have had finished all the preparations for the marriage. The mishap has shattered our dreams and we are yet to come out of the grief," said a teary-eyed family member.