Mangaluru : At least four people were killed and seven others were severely injured after a speeding SUV in which they were travelling in rammed into an LPG tanker near Talapady-Brahmarakootlu toll gate, on Friday afternoon.

The condition of the four injured is said to be critical.

According to police, the incident took place at around 2pm, when a family of 11 persons from Bhatkal was returning to Mangaluru after visiting Dharmasthala temple. The driver of the vehicle, who was over speeding and failed to notice one way road near toll gate, rammed into an LPG tanker coming from Mangaluru and moving towards Bengaluru. Due to collision, SUV has been completely mangled. Locals, who were present at the spot, pulled out victims from the vehicle and rushed them to hospital.

Police added that the victims had planned to visit Pilikula Nisargadhama after visiting Dharmasthala and return home in Bhatkal.