Two schoolgirls were killed and a young man seriously injured yesterday after the motorcycle they were riding in Russey Keo district’s Svay Pak commune crashed into a sand-laden truck, police said.

Yat Theara, the 19-year-old who was riding the motorcycle, was turning into the street along which the 14-wheel truck was driving when the accident happened, said Dea Sary, the police officer in charge of information for Russey Keo district. The two girls, students at Russey Keo High School, were crushed under its wheels.

“The truck driver was driving fast. After seeing the two girls dead, he panicked and fled the scene,” Sary added.

The bodies of the two girls – Lanh Chakrya, 16, and Chan Sobunnary, 16 – have been handed over to their families, Sary said, and a report sent to the municipal traffic police for further action.

According to the new traffic law, motorcycle riders are only allowed to carry one passenger, who must wear a helmet, Sary said.

“The motorcycle was also riding fast and they didn’t wear helmets,” he said. “So they are also in the wrong as per the law.”

The truck driver is still being sought by police. Sary said that the sand truck belonged to a businessman named Heng, and the police were searching for the full name of the company.