NEW DELHI, March 18 (Xinhua) -- At least three persons were killed and four others injured in a road accident on an expressway near the Indian capital Sunday, police said.

"The accident occurred when a sports utility vehicle (SUV) in which six doctors of the premier All Indian Institute of Medical Sciences were travelling rammed into a truck from behind on the Yamuna Expressway in Uttar Pradesh state, some 50 km from Delhi," a police official said.

While three doctors were killed, the other three and the SUV driver were injured and rushed to the same hospital where they serve, he said, adding that the condition of all of them are said to be serious.

Preliminary probe has indicated that the SUV was travelling at high speed and the accident occurred when its driver lost control of the vehicle while trying to overtake the truck on the high-speed corridor, according to cops.

A probe has been ordered into the incident, the official said, adding a manhunt has been launched to track down the truck driver who fled the scene after the accident.

"The SUV and truck drivers will be booked for rash and negligent driving following the probe," he said.

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.