Seven people died and 22 others were injured after a truck turned over on a highway in southwest China's Guizhou Province Saturday, local authorities said.

The accident happened around 7 a.m. near a village in Hezhang County.

The Guizhou Provincial Work Safety Administration said a Dong Feng open-bed truck was making a turn when it flipped over.

Six people were instantly killed. Another person died after emergency treatment.

The injured, including six people in serious condition, are being treated at two hospitals in the county.

A total of 45 people were aboard the truck when it flipped over. It had no license plate.

The truck's driver, Chen Tianchao, also a local farmer, fled after the accident.

No other vehicles were involved.

(Xinhua News Agency October 12, 2008)