Two teenagers on a motorcycle, allegedly without helmets, were crushed to death as their two-wheeler skidded in front of a truck on Belvedere Road in Alipore early on Friday.
Police said the boys were returning home after a meal at a dhaba in Bhowanipore in south Kolkata.
Neither had reached the age that would have made them eligible for a driving licence.
Police identified the two as Mohammad Faizan, 17, Mohammad Arsalan, 16, both residents of Ekbalpore in southwest Kolkata.
“The crash happened around 3.30am on Friday morning. CCTV footage shows the bike was trailing the truck and just when it tried to overtake the goods carrier, it skidded too close to it and came under its wheels,” said an officer of the fatal squad of the traffic police.
The boys were taken to SSKM Hospital where they were declared dead.
Some of the friends of the deceased who were riding other motorcycles chased the truck and intercepted it a few kilometres from the spot and allegedly hurled stones at it.
The truck has been seized and the driver arrested.
“Reckless driving is one of the major reasons for accidents at night. The majority of motorists feel they can drive at a high speed at night as roads are mostly empty. This increases chances of collision and other accidents,” said an officer of the traffic department.
Another officer stressed the need to wear a helmet while riding a two-wheeler because it protects the rider's head in case there is a crash or an accidental fall on the road.
Kolkata police had recently conducted a drive in collaboration with a team of neurosurgeons to emphasise the need to properly wear a helmet while riding a two-wheeler.
“Just wearing a helmet is not enough. It has to be worn properly. The safety clip has to be adjusted tightly across the chin so that the helmet does not come off during an accident,” said the officer.
Biker injured on EM Bypass
A motorcyclist was injured after being hit by a luxury bus on EM Bypass near Narkeldanga Main Road early on Friday. Police said Titas Goswami, a resident of Kasba, was treated at hospital. The bus driver has been arrested.