Five members of a wedding (baraat) party, among them a child, were killed early on Monday morning when the sports utility vehicle they were travelling in fell into a roadside ditch.

The accident occurred around 7.30am near Kosma hills under the jurisdiction of Chandauti police station, around 15km west of the Gaya district headquarters.

Those killed were returning to Kachanpur village under Chakand block in Gaya after the wedding in Aurangabad. They were aged between eight and 70 years.

The deceased have been identified as Gorakhnath Singh, Devendra Singh, Kanhaiya Singh, Rambihari Singh and Rampyare Singh. At least 12 people were travelling in the vehicle and the remaining seven persons were injured.

The driver of the sports utility vehicle was among the injured.

Gaya additional superintendent of police Ashok Kumar Singh said: “The driver lost control over the vehicle leading to the accident. At least seven more persons travelling in the sports utility vehicle were also injured in the accident. They have been admitted to Anugrah Narayan Medical College and Hospital.”