SHENYANG - Seven people have been killed in a fatal expressway accident in Liaoning province, according to the provincial public security department.

The accident happened at about 1:12 pm Saturday when a car smashed through the median barrier of the Shenyang-Dalian Expressway in the Liaoyang section and slammed head-on into another car, said police.

Three people died on the spot while four others died after being rushed to a local hospital.

An investigation into the cause of the accident is under way.