Bhatkal: 5 persons including 2 women were killed when the Maruti Omni in which they were travelling crashed into a loaded truck which was coming from opposite direction at Belsey NH 17, near Ankola, 90km from Bhatkal. The accident occured at 7.00 am on Friday.

Four persons were killed on the spot, while another person succumbed to his injuries at Ankola hospital.

The deceased were identified as Omni driver Jatta Nagappa Patgar, Lakshmi Ganapathi Naik, Geeta Mohan Naik, Krishna Devappa Naik and Manjunath Krishna Naik. All hail from Kumta, Suvarnagedde area.

It is reported that Maruti Omni was on its way from Kumta to Karwar while Dharwad bound lorry was coming from opposite direction.

According to local people, the omni driver was trying to avoid potholes during which the speeding lorry got crushed into the car.

The truck driver fled from the spot soon after the accident.

A case has been registered in Ankola Police station.