Eight people died while 11 others were critically injured when the trekker they were travelling in rammed a lorry in Murshidabad on Monday morning. The accident occurred on NH-34 near Sargachi village. The trekker, was going from Behrampore to Beldanga.

Eyewitnesses said that the trekker had been overspeeding when it lost control and hit the lorry coming from the opposite direction. The police said trekkers on the highway often raced with one another to pick up more passengers.

The driver and the cleaner of the trekker were also among the deceased. While three people died on the spot, five succumbed after being taken to a nearby hospital.

Locals said that the trekkers used by people travelling to nearby towns were always overloaded. Though the normal capacity is 10+2, they often accommodate as many as 30 people.The trekker involved in the accident was also overcrowded. Additional Superintendent of Police DN Goswami said no arrests have been made so far.