Three primary school students have died and five more injured in a road accident in south China's Yunnan Province Tuesday, local government said.

The accident occurred at about 2 pm as a local pick-up truck rammed into students on bicycles in Menghai County, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, the county information office said.

Two students from Man'en primary school in Mengzhe Town died at the scene and one died later in hospital.

The driver, surnamed Yan, was arrested at 3 pm after running away from the scene.

Local police are investigating the accident.