Kundapur: Six students from Pune were seriously injured after a speeding Toyota Fortuner lost control, crossed the divider and overturned into a roadside drain on the opposite carriageway along National Highway–66 near Kannukere in the Tekkatte area of Kundapur on Monday afternoon. The injured were immediately shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment.

According to police, all the injured students hail from Pune, Maharashtra, and are pursuing studies in law and engineering colleges there. Reports said a total of 12 students had set out on a road trip across the country in two cars on January 31. The accident occurred while they were returning to Pune after visiting the Tirupati temple.

Police said the Fortuner went out of the driver’s control while travelling at speed near Kannukere, causing it to jump the divider and overturn into a roadside drain on the opposite side of the highway. At the time of the accident, six students, including the driver, were travelling in the vehicle.

Local residents rushed to the spot immediately after the accident, rescued the injured students from the vehicle and shifted them to a nearby hospital, where they are currently undergoing treatment.

Kota Police Station Inspector Praveen Kumar visited the accident site and conducted an inspection. A case has been registered at Kota Police Station and further investigation is underway.