The mishap occurred just ahead of a bridge across the river as the car hit the parapet wall and plunged down when the man at the wheels applied sudden brake to avoid hitting a pig at around 1 am near Masanagudi, about 22 kms from here.
The youths were on their way here for a holiday trip when the tragedy stuck them, killing Abhishek, Rohit and Mithun. Their friend Naresh had a providential escape.
Naresh suffered minor injuries and was being treated at a government hospital, they said adding the bodies of the three persons were recovered this morning.