The death toll rose to five as of Thursday after a man drove a truck into a crowd in a school in southern China Wednesday.

The latest victim died early in the morning in hospital during emergency treatment for critical injuries.

Four of the killed were teenage students and one was an adult.

The accident took place Wednesday afternoon when a male drove a truck at high speed into a crowd of students who were leaving school as classes ended. About 20 others sustained injuries.

Two seriously injured students were in stable condition, according to doctors.

The driver was shot dead by police on the spot.

Chendong High School, the site of the incident in Baijiao Township in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, canceled all classes Thursday.

"The school authority asked us to return home today," Peng Cuiping, a 13-year-old girl studying at the school.

Parents also got text messages about schooling suspension, said Zhang Jing, 14.

The school gate remained closed and school officials were not available.

Zhang, who witnessed the tragedy, said she was too frightened to fall asleep.

The government of Zhuhai sent 28 psychological experts to hospitals and the school to help students and teachers.

"I'm worried about my girl's mental situation," said the mother of Liang Chunmei, a student who sustained bruises in the incident.

"I was so scared. I slept with my classmate in the dorm last night," said Peng.