Malavalli: Three persons were burnt alive and two others sustained injuries when a car in which they were travelling fell into a gutter after the driver lost control over the vehicle and caught fire, near Halagur on Kanakapura-Dindigul National Highway yesterday.

The Police said the deceased have been identified as Shaikh Faizal (45), Civil Contractor, KG Halli, Bengaluru, and his children Suhana (12) and Shaikh Ahil (6). His wife, Mehak, 33 years, and daughter, Mahaira, 11 years, are injured and admitted to Victoria Hospital, Bengaluru.

Details: The family started from Hanur in Chamarajanagar at around 6.30 am towards Bengaluru in a car (KA-04-MG-1583). As the vehicle was passing through a petrol pump in Halagur, Faisal, who was behind the wheels, lost control over the vehicle. Then the car hit a roadside stone and fell into the gutter. Due to impact, it caught fire. When those struck in the car cried for help, one Swamy and his friends of the same village who were walking nearby, managed to pull out two persons. But, three others who were struck inside, were charred. The local Police were able to inform relatives of the deceased as Faisal had thrown his mobile phone when the vehicle fell into the gutter.

The two rescued, Mehak and Mahaira, were given first aid at Halagur Primary Health Centre and later shifted to Bengaluru for further treatment. The family members were going to Bengaluru after spending a few days in a friend’s farm house near Hanur, due to lockdown.

On the receipt of information, a fire tender reached the spot and extinguished the fire. Senior Police officers visited the spot.

Halagur Police have registered a case and are investigating.