Two Class X boys were killed and two others were seriously injured when their car, driven by one of them, hit an electricity pole while trying to save a man on a bike on Friday morning in Bokaro, the early morning tragedy underscoring the dangers associated with teenagers driving four-wheelers in a town where absence of police vigil has made such a practice routine.

There were five of them, all students of Chinmaya Vidyalaya-Bokaro, going for tuition in the car. Sector 8D resident Aman Kumar (16), who was driving the Wagon R, and Vastu Vihar (phase II) colony resident Abhimanyu Kumar (15) died on the spot of multiple injuries.

The third boy, Chira Chas resident Shrey Chiraj (16), who injured his head and backbone, is battling for his life at the critical care unit of Bokaro General Hospital (BGH). The fourth boy, sector II resident Om Priyanshu (16), whose right thigh bone was fractured, is in the general ward of the hospital after doctors plastered his leg.

The fifth student, Chira Chas resident Parimal Kumar (15), whose injuries were minor, was released from the hospital after being administered first-aid.

Police and school sources said the students, who were to appear for their Class X CBSE boards next month, said the accident occurred near Jay Jayan petrol pump of Bokaro sector IV, about 2km from Bokaro at 6.45am.

School principal Ashok Singh said they were all in shock. “We held a condolence meeting today (Friday),” he said, adding that the school would remain closed on Saturday.

OC of sector IV police station Indrashan Chaudhary said the Maruti Wagon R (JH01 AB 6154) belonged to Chira Chas resident Parimal Kumar, but was being driven by Aman, while Abhimanyu was seated beside him in front. “Om Priyanshu was seated behind Aman, Parimal was in the middle and Shrey Chirag was behind Abhimanyu in the rear seat,” the OC explained.

Chinmaya school sports teacher Sanjeev Singh said they heard about the accident at 7am and immediately rushed to site with principal Ashok Singh. “We accompanied the students to Bokaro General Hospital along with police where Aman and Abhimanyu were declared brought dead,” he said.

“Eyewitnesses have told us the car collided with an electricity pole while trying to save a man on a bike. The man was talking on his mobile and suddenly started his bike and tried to cross the road without noticing the car,” Sanjeev said, adding classes were suspended a fortnight ago for Class X students who were to appear for CBSE exams next month.

The sources claimed that the boys had reached their tuition centre at 6.30am as per schedule. Since the teacher had not arrived, they decided to take a spin in the car. The accident occurred while they were coming back.

“The boys were good in academics. Aman was also a very talented cricketer and had appeared for the under-16 trails of the Bokaro district team,” Sanjeev said.

Principal Ashok Singh said the accident was one of the most unfortunate events ever for the school. But he sounded a word of caution about under-age driving.

“The accident should serve as an eye-opener for society and parents. We in the school management always insist on parents to never allow children to drive bikes or four-wheelers,” he said, adding that he would hold a meeting with all parents on this again.

The minimum age for obtaining a drivers’ licence is 18.