Driver fainted before fatal car accident in east China

NANJING -- The driver fainted and lost control of his vehicle before it hit several electric bicycles, killing three and injuring ten people in East China's Jiangsu Province, police said after an investigation.

The accident happened at about 10:47 am Wednesday in the downtown area of the city of Changzhou, when a black Benz car lost control and veered into the bicycle lane.

The car hit several electric bicycles, injuring 13 people. Three died after medical efforts failed. Ten people are still being treated, but their injuries are not life-threatening, the police said.

The 35-year-old driver has been taken into police custody. According to him and his wife, who was also on the car when the accident happened, he fainted and foamed with blood at the mouth, causing him to lose control of the vehicle, the police said.

Tests showed the driver had not driven under the influence of drugs or alcohol, the police said.