Mangaluru: Two young men lost their lives in a tragic car accident after their vehicle rammed into a road divider near Jappinamogaru on National Highway 66 in the early hours of Wednesday.

The deceased have been identified as Omshree Poojari (24) from Konchady, who was serving as the Vice President of the Dakshina Kannada District NSUI, and Aman Rao (23) from Mallikatte.

According to sources, the accident occurred around 2:30 AM when a speeding car heading from Talapady toward Pumpwell lost control near Jappinamogaru and crashed into the central divider. Aman Rao was reportedly behind the wheel at the time. The car was carrying five occupants.

Such was the intensity of the impact that the vehicle was completely mangled—the engine was thrown out, and the airbags were shredded.

Three other occupants, including an Italian national, sustained injuries and have been admitted to a private hospital in Mangaluru.

Police from the Mangaluru South Traffic Station, located directly opposite the accident site, visited the scene and have launched an investigation.