A private car plunged a few feet down into a roadside canal after it lost control on the Basanti Highway on Wednesday afternoon. At least three occupants of the car — all minors — were injured.

The Maruti 800, registered in the name of a doctor in Ultadanga, was plying as a shuttle cab and ferrying three children aged between 13 and 16 years, police said.

The children were identified as Roshni Khatun, 15, of DC Dey Road in Tangra, Mohammad Alam, 16, of GJ Khan Road in Tangra and Anam Parveen, 13, of Gobinda Khatik Road, also in Tangra.

The accident occurred around 1.30pm between Chowbaga and Koyla depot, 5km from Science City.

Officers of Pragati Maidan police station and the disaster management group reached the spot for rescue operation.

“All three passengers were taken to a hospital, where they were treated and discharged. The driver, Sonu, could neither be spotted in the car nor in the canal. But some eyewitnesses who were working in an adjoining paddy field said they saw a youth come out of the car and run away within minutes of the accident,” said an officer of the traffic department.

The private car that fell into the canal

The canal into which the car fell is only four feet deep and it would be impossible for an adult to drown in it.

The car was fished out of the canal and seized by officers of Pragati Maidan police station for mechanical examination.

Basanti Highway is infamous for it sharp bends and turns that make it prone to accidents. Calcutta police have installed signages, lights and speed breakers to prevent accidents.

Several IT employees and students cross the stretch every day.