Two persons died and 22 people suffered injuries when a passenger bus on way to Sode from Ranchi collided head on with a truck near Ursuline Convent School in Giyarappa on the Ranchi-Khunti Road, around 20km from the district headquarters in Khunti, at 1pm on Friday.

The deceased have been identified as Mansidih Topno, 40, and Poonam Ranjan, 35.

“They apparently died on way to RIMS from Khunti,” said Ajit Singh, the president of RIMS Junior Doctors’ Association.

A resident of the area said primary investigation suggested that the accident occurred when the bus driver attempted to speed and swerved left coming close to the truck.

“The injured were taken to sadar hospital from where they were referred to Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS),” the resident said.

Another local said proper treatment was given to the injured at the sadar hospital.

“People rushed to help and the injured were given first aid. I have seen as many as 17 doctors, 100 health workers and common people extending their services to the victims from the accident site to the sadar hospital. I also noticed a foreigner extending her service. RSS volunteers also chipped in to help,” the resident said, adding that the truck involved in the accident was from Maharashtra and its driver is one of the victims.

District superintendent of police Ashutosh Shekhar said: “Of the total injured, two have head injuries. Hope all get cured soon under the care of RIMS doctors.”

On the possible reason behind the accident, he said: “It would be too early to give a conclusive statement. We were busy with the rescue process. We will probe the reason behind the accident.”

RIMS director D.K. Singh said arrangements are being made for the treatment of the injured.

“All senior and junior doctors have been alerted and nurses were pressed into service. The blood bank was also alerted. Patients have multiple injuries,” Singh said.

RIMS neurosurgery department head Anil Kumar said: “Those brought to RIMS are stable.”