NEW DELHI, July 21 (Xinhua) -- At least four people have been killed after their car crashed into a parked truck in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, police said Saturday.

The accident occurred near Safedabad crossing in the state's Barabanki district.

"The car carrying five people rammed into the stationary truck late Friday evening after its driver lost control of the speeding vehicle," a police official said.

While four occupants of the car were killed on the spot, the seriously injured driver has been hospitalized in state capital Lucknow and he is battling for his life, he added.

Eye-witnesses told cops the car was travelling at speed beyond the permissible limit and its driver failed to apply brakes when he suddenly saw the truck while overtaking another vehicle.

A probe has been ordered into the incident, the official said. "The truck driver is yet to be arrested as he fled the spot after the accident leaving the vehicle behind," he added.

India has one of the highest numbers of road fatalities in the world. Road accidents occur mostly due to poor driving or badly maintained roads and vehicles.?