Five persons were killed on Thursday when a car, while trying save a motorbike, hit another and dashed into a tree at Jodapahadi in Giridih on Dumri-Giridih road on Thursday.

There were three persons on the motorbike while two were in the car. Four died on the spot where portions of the bike and the mangled car lay scattered around.

According to Giridh BDO Gautam Bhagat, the accident occurred while the car, a Swift Dzire, was coming from Dumri at high speed and tried to swerve away from an oncoming bike. That bike also had three riders.

“The car was able to save the first bike but hit another one and then dashed against a tree,” Bhagat said, adding that the accident occurred at an area that is under Muffasil police station area of Giridih.

“The car was able to save the first bike but hit another one and then dashed against a tree,” Bhagat said, adding that the accident occurred at an area that is under Muffasil police station area of Giridih.

The impact of the collision was so strong, police said, that a loud bang was heard by many after which local residents rushed to the spot. They said they found it extremely difficult to extricate the body.

Giridih sub-divisional officer (SDO) Prerna Dixit, who visited the accident site, said one among the motorbike riders died at the sadar hospital.

“Local residents said they found him gasping and rushed him to the hospital. But a doctor declared him brought dead,” she said.

The deceased have been identified as Mohammad Aslam (30), who was driving the car, Mustkim (28), who was seated on the front seat alongside, and the motorbike riders Patiya Tudu, Somra Tudu and Benilal Hansda.

Hansda was driving the bike. They were returning to Kamlsingha of Pirtaad area where they lived.