Three persons were killed when a chicken-laden van in which they were travelling dashed against a roadside tree near Kinathukadavu in Coimbatore today.

Aruchamy, the driver of the van carrying chicken from Coimbatore city to Valparai in the morning, lost control of the vehicle near Kinathukadavu, about 23 kilometres from here, and rammed it on to the roadside neem tree, police said.

Saravanan, an assistant, died on the spot, while Aruchami and another passenger, Lala died on their way to hospital.

The police are investigating.