EDAKKARA: Two ninth-class students met a tragic end when the bike they had hired to go to the tuition centre collided with a goods vehicle. The deceased have been identified as Shibin Raj (14), son of Achakkottil Shibu, and Yadukrishna (14), son of auto driver Santosh. Both are students of Chungathara Marthoma HSS.

The accident took place at Chungathara Muttikkadavu at 7.30 am yesterday. It is indicated that the bike the students were riding belonged to a native of Pothukal. The police said that another person rented it from him and rented it to students. Edakkara CI has announced that action will be taken against the bike owner who gave the bike to minor children to drive. A detailed investigation will be conducted into the incident.

The students were on their way to Muttikkadavu to pick up another friend on their way to the tuition centre in Chungathara. The bike they were travelling in collided with the goods vehicle with Karnataka registration coming against them. Eyewitnesses say that both the vehicles were speeding. The injured children were immediately taken to Nilambur District Hospital but could not be saved. The bodies of both were handed over to their relatives after post-mortem.

The students rented the bike on Friday saying that they would return it on Saturday evening. There are complaints that groups renting bikes to students are widespread here.

Shibin Raj's body was shifted to the mortuary in Chungathara after a public display at Chungathara Marthoma School. The body will be cremated at home after his father, Shibu, who is working abroad reaches back home. Mother: Sabita. Siblings: Shibin Jit Krishna and Shibitha.

Yadukrishna's body was cremated at his home in Pathiripadam after a public display. Mother: Sangeeta. Brothers: Nandu and Nakulan.