Two men were killed when a lorry travelling down Vivekananda Road early on Monday lost control, mounted a footpath and knocked down a concrete pillar of a passenger shelter, causing it to collapse.

The victims — Rohit Jaiswal, 31, and Santa Yadav, 39 — were among the four who were trapped under the debris of the shelter’s roof.

Police said Rohit, a resident of Ram Mohan Roy Sarani, was a professional photographer who had clicked through the night and was sipping tea when the accident took place. Santa was a resident of Machuabazar in Maniktala.

“All four were waiting for the day’s first bus to their respective destinations,” said an officer.

Rohit was taken to the NRS Medical College and Hospital and Santa to the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. They were declared dead on arrival.

Both had suffered multiple injuries that resulted in internal haemorrhage, doctors who treated them said.

The other two who were at the bus stand — Rajendra Prasad Jaiswara, 54, and Ravi Das, 55 - were admitted to NRS and RG hospitals, respectively. Doctors said Ravi had suffered multiple injuries.

“The lorry was speeding down Vivekananda Road around 4.50am when the driver lost control and mounted a footpath near the Maniktala market after hitting a car,” said an officer at Amherst Street police station.

“Four persons were standing under the shelter shade, adjoining a tea stall. A portion of the shade collapsed after the lorry hit one of the pillars and the four were trapped under the debris.”

The owner of the tea stall is said to have told the police that Rohit was sipping tea when he spotted the lorry speeding down recklessly and veering towards the footpath. He immediately jumped out of his seat to save himself.

“The lorry driver escaped. A case under IPC sections related to attempt to murder and reckless driving has been started against him,” an officer said.

The Maniktala crossing remains busy for most of the day and the passenger shelter that collapsed usually remains crowded. Since most shops in the market nearby were yet to open for the day, there weren't too many people on the road around the time of the accident.