BIRATNAGAR: A woman was killed and six others were injured when a pick-up van they were travelling in crashed into an electric pole along the Mahendra Highway in Koshi Rural Municipality-8 in Sunsari district on Sunday.

The deceased who appeared to be in her 60s, has been identified as Bishnu Maya Jamarkattel of Itahari-8. The injured have been identified as Manish Dhamala, Bhagawati Dhamala, Aakriti Dhamala, Bimala Pokharel, Karuna Adhikari and her eight-month-old son Adarsha, all the residents of Ramdhuni-5, Sunsari district.

The accident occurred as the pick-up van (Ba 17 Cha 9783) heading in a westward direction crashed into the roadside electric pole while trying to avoid hitting a cyclist who was crossing the road yesterday, according to the East Region Police Office, Biratnagar. Passenger Jamarkattel died on the spot in the incident while others sustained injuries.

Meanwhile,the injured are receiving treatment at a hospital in Inaruwa.