Three people died and at least ten others were seriously injured when a police truck overturned along Kayonza-Kigali highway on Thursday morning.

The vehicle was transporting prisoners from Nyagatare District, to Nsinda Prison in Rwamagana District, when it suddenly overturned at Nyagatovu.

The area is flat and vehicles are allowed to speed up to 80 kilometres per hour.

According to Police Spokesman, Chief Superintendent of Police Celestin Twahirwa, three people died on spot while the injured were taken to Rwamagana hospital in critical condition.

"It is sad that we lost people in the accident…the driver died instantly and two others lost their lives.

More than ten other people are in critical condition…they may be transferred to Kigali for specialised treatment,” he said, adding that they would provide more details soon.

Residents and eyewitnesses were saying the speeding car skidded and overturned while trying to overtake another vehicle.

Alfred Muyango, a middle aged man who witnessed the accident, told The New Times that it happened very fast.

"The vehicle overtook a Dyna pick-up and skidded off the road and hit a tree and then an electric pole before it overturned …it was just within seconds,” he said, adding that it was over speeding.

Meanwhile, families of the dead and injured have started visiting Rwamagana Hospital to see the fate of their loved ones.