Dhenkanal, Feb 15: Two minor girls died while one sustained critical injuries as a pickup van coming from the wrong side mowed them under Bajichowk fly-over in the district today.

The deceased has been identified as Suhana kumari (5) and Sehena Kumari (7), both residents of Bihar.

According to the locals, the family of the deceased were street vendors and staying under the fly-over bridge. On Monday, when their parents were away, three of them were playing when a pickup van coming from the wrong side mowed down them near Bajichowk.

They were rushed to District Headquarters Hospital (DHH), Dhenkanal where two of them died while undergoing treatment. However, the driver of the van has absconded from the place.

On being informed the police reached the spot and initiated a probe into the matter after seizing the pickup van.