Twenty-two people were killed and 40 others injured, some seriously, when a private luxury bus skidded off the road and after dashing against a tree overturned at Ahivant-Wadi-Phata, about 48 kms from Nashik on Nanduri-Vani road Saturday, police said.

The injured, including 11 women and seven children, have been brought to Nashik Civil Hospital.

The passengers, hailing from various localities of Mumbai, were returning after visiting Saptshringi-Devi-Garh, about 70 km from Nashik, when the accident took place.

The overcrowded bus was moving in full speed when the driver lost control of the vehicle and hit a tree and overturned near Ahivant Wadi-Phata, Deputy Superintendent of Police J R Thakur said.

The impact of the accident was so great that the upper roof of the bus was blown up and passengers were pressed under the seats.