Guwahati: A collision between a gas tanker and two four-wheelers on the Badnawar-Ujjain highway in Madhya Pradesh's Dhar district has resulted in the loss of seven lives and left three others injured.

The incident occurred around 11 pm on Wednesday when the gas tanker, traveling on the wrong side of the road, crashed into a car and a jeep approaching from the opposite direction.

According to Dhar Superintendent of Police Manoj Kumar Singh, four people died instantly, while three others succumbed to their injuries later in the hospital. The victims hailed from Ratlam, Mandsaur, and Jodhpur districts.

Local residents played a crucial role in the rescue operation, assisting authorities in pulling out trapped individuals from the wreckage using a crane. The injured were rushed to a hospital in neighbouring Ratlam district for treatment.

However, the truck driver responsible for the accident fled the scene.

Police have begun a probe into the incident.