Seven people were killed and six others injured after a bus collided with an auto-rickshaw carrying 15 passengers in Andhra Pradesh’s Palnadu district early Thursday. The accident occurred near Adda Road in Chilakaluripet mandal, when a bus travelling from Vijayawada to Tirupati collided head-on with the auto-rickshaw.
According to Narasaraopet DSP M. Hanumant Rao, the accident occurred at around 1 am on Thursday night. The bus travelling from Vijayawada to Tirupati had stopped near the Chilakaluripet bypass to pick up a passenger and was proceeding towards the Narasaraopet bus stand after picking up the passenger.
The bus and auto-rickshaw collided near Kala Mandir Junction. Preliminary information indicates that the auto-rickshaw turned towards the opposite side of the road and came in front of the bus. Police said the bus was travelling at around 40 kilometres per hour at the time of the accident.
Several passengers were trapped inside the auto-rickshaw after the collision. Four people died at the spot. Police and local residents rescued the injured passengers from the damaged vehicle.
The injured were taken to hospital, where three more people died during treatment, taking the death toll to seven. Six other injured people are undergoing treatment.
According to police, four children are among the injured. Their condition and the severity of their injuries are being monitored by hospital authorities.
Police said 15 people were travelling in the auto-rickshaw. Since auto-rickshaws are generally not permitted to carry such a number of passengers, investigating agencies are also examining the circumstances in which 15 people were travelling in the vehicle.
Police are investigating all aspects of the accident before reaching a final conclusion about its cause.
Local residents started rescue operations after the accident, informed police and helped remove injured passengers from the vehicle. Police and medical teams reached the spot shortly afterwards.
The damaged auto-rickshaw and bus were also removed following the accident to restore traffic movement.
The preliminary police investigation found that the auto-rickshaw turned onto the wrong side of the road and came in front of the bus. Police are also examining aspects related to the bus driver’s speed and road conditions.
Officials are inspecting the accident site and recording statements from eyewitnesses. Road conditions, the direction of the vehicles and circumstances at the time of the collision are also being examined to establish the exact cause of the accident.
Police are investigating the circumstances before determining responsibility.
Six people injured in the accident were taken to hospital, including four children. Doctors are monitoring their condition and providing necessary treatment.
The administration has also begun the process of identifying the deceased and informing their families.
Police are investigating all aspects related to both vehicles, including driving direction, vehicle speed, road conditions, lighting, traffic signals and possible negligence.
Investigators may also examine whether either vehicle had a mechanical fault or whether the accident occurred because the auto-rickshaw turned onto the wrong side of the road. CCTV recordings from cameras near the accident site, if available, may also be examined.
Police have registered a case and begun an investigation. Officials are collecting evidence from the accident site and obtaining information from eyewitnesses.
The cause of the accident and the circumstances related to vehicle operation will be established after the investigation. The official police report will form the basis for further action.
The accident occurred at around 1 am in Chilakaluripet mandal of Palnadu district. The bus travelling from Vijayawada to Tirupati collided with an auto-rickshaw carrying 15 passengers. According to police, the auto-rickshaw turned onto the wrong side of the road and came in front of the bus.
Four people died at the spot, while three others died during treatment at hospital. Six people were injured, including four children. Police are investigating the cause of the accident and all aspects related to the operation of both vehicles.
