Two people were killed, and 22 others were injured in a road accident in West Rukum after a jeep plunged into the Bheri river earlier on Monday.

Forty-five-year-old Masta Bahadur Oli, and a seven-year-old boy died in the accident involving the vehicle en route to the district headquarters Khalanga from Ratamata, police said.

The child lost his life on the way to the hospital while Oli died during the course of treatment at the Chaurjahari Hospital, said Namaraj Bhattarai, head of the district police office.

According to Bhattarai, five others who were critically injured in the accident have been airlifted to Kathmandu for treatment. The other injured have been admitted to the Chaujahari Hospital.

Police suspect that the accident was caused due to overloading.

Further investigation into the matter is underway.