Three persons, including a woman, were killed and five injured when their car collided with a cotton-laden lorry near Vellakoil in Tirupur district. Poor visibility due to early morning mist was said to be the reason for the mishap, which left two persons, including a 57-year old woman, dead on the spot at Olapalayam on Kangeyam-Vellakoil Road. The third person died on the way to a private hospital, police said.

Five others in the car who sustained injuries were undergoing treatment in the private hospital, they said.

The car was coming to the city from Needamangalam in Tiruvarur district. Under the impact of the collision, the diesel tank of the lorry caught fire and spread to the cotton. Rescue personnel managed to put out which prevented further damage,. The bodies of two were removed from the mangled car with help of an excavator, police added.