Srinagar/UNI: Four tourists from Kerala were among five people who died in a road accident at Zojila Pass in central Kashmir's Ganderbal district on Tuesday, officials said.

Police said the accident took place at about 3:30pm near Yaudoo Modh at Zojila when a Sumo vehicle bearing registration number JK04C 5801 on way from Kargil towards Srinagar skidded off the road and felt into a deep gorge along the Srinagar- Leh highway resulting in the death of four tourists and the driver.

"Apparently the driver lost control in a sharp turn due to over speed and slippery road," they said

The four dead tourists have been identified as Anil R, 33; Sudheesh Kumar, 33; Vignesh S, 24 and 28-year-old Rahul K - all residents of district Nedungode Chittur Pallackad in Kerala. The driver of the vehicle identified as Ajaz Ahmed Awan, a resident of Kangan Ganderbal also died in the accident.

The three injured tourists from Kerala were identified as Manoj M, Rajesh K and Arun K. The condition of Manoj, who is admitted at Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Science in Srinagar is stated to be critical.

Soon after the accident senior police and security officers rushed to the spot.