The subdivisional officer of Birbhum’s Rampurhat, Sweta Agarwal, rushed two persons lying unconscious along a road after an accident to hospital in her official car on Friday.

Sources said the 2016-batch IAS officer was returning to her office around11 am after having inspected a ration shop — as part of a district-wide drive — when she found people gathered around a spot at Balia village, near Rampurhat.

“As soon as the SDO saw the injured persons, she asked us to take them into her car quickly,” said Badre Alam, a friend of the injured.

Sources said the duo rescued by Agarwal — Hasibul Sheikh and Alam Sheikh — both in their late thirties, are residents of Sainthia and had come to meet their friend Badre.

The sources said soon after setting off, Agarwal called up the Rampurhat Medical College and Hospital.

“A pilot car escorted my vehicle and helped clear the road, allowing us to reach the hospital as soon as possible,” said SDO Agarwal.

Hasibul was driving a scooter and Alam riding pillion when they skidded.

The sources said the riders were not wearing helmets. “The duo are stable now. It was crucial they were brought to the hospital in time,” said Sujoy Mistri, vice-principal of the Rampurhat hospital.

Birbhum DM Moumita Godara Basu said: “What the SDO of Rampurhat did will inspire people to help others in on-road crises.”