Two youths were killed and three others seriously injured after the car in which they were travelling collided with a stone-laden lorry at Idimuzhikkal near Chelembra in Malappuram district in the early hours of Sunday.

The deceased were identified as Kottiri Haris, 30, and K.T. Jamsheer, 32, both residents of Poovathumad in Malappuram district.

The accident occurred on the Kozhikode-Thrissur National Highway around 3.30 a.m. The three injured-Musammil, Uwais and Jabir-were taken to the Kozhikode Government Medical College Hospital for treatment.

According to preliminary reports, the five were travelling towards Chelari after returning from Kozhikode beach after a late-night gathering. The two reportedly succumbed to injuries while undergoing treatment.

The police said the circumstances leading to the collision, including reports that the lorry had entered the service road and was moving in the wrong direction, were being examined. They also said the exact cause of the accident was yet to be ascertained.