The eight, all residents of the Gopipura area in Surat, were on their way to Unai Mata temple near Vasda in Navsari district. When they reached near Vankaner early this morning, the driver lost control oversteering, resulting in the mishap. Several passers-by gathered at the spot and, with the help of villagers, rescued the people trapped in the vehicle.

The Bardoli police also rushed to the accident site after learning about the incident.

They, however, could save only two of them as six others died on the spot. Inspector V A Patel said, “After the preliminary investigation,

we found that Choudhary was driving rashly, which led to the accident. We have registered a complaint and carrying out further investigations.”

The two injured, identified as Mahendra Rana (25) and Kanti Choudhary (35, the driver), were rushed to the nearby Sardar Smarak Hospital in Bardoli where their condition is reported to be critical.

The deceased were identified as Kalpesh Rana (19), Sanjay Patel (30), Parmal Rana (17), Himatram Mali (21), Vijay Patel (20) and Mritunjay Garasia (18).