Four people lost their lives, and 15 others sustained injuries in a tragic collision between a bus and a dumper truck in Andhra Pradesh’s Chittoor district on Thursday night, officials reported on Friday. The accident has left the local community in shock and highlighted the need for enhanced road safety measures.
The incident occurred around 11:15 pm in Gajulapalli village. According to Chittoor Sub-Divisional Police Officer T. Sainath, “Four passengers died on the spot. Among the 15 injured, four are in critical condition, while 11 sustained minor injuries.” He further stated that the bus, carrying 26 passengers, was traveling from Tirupati to Madurai when it was struck on its side by the truck.
Eyewitness accounts suggest that the truck was being driven at a high speed, which could have contributed to the severity of the collision. Many passengers were asleep at the time of the crash, adding to the chaos and confusion.
Emergency services acted promptly, transporting the injured to Christian Medical College in Vellore, Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences, and other nearby hospitals. Medical teams are working tirelessly to stabilize the critically injured, while those with minor injuries are receiving necessary care.
Authorities have registered a case under Section 106 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. A police spokesperson confirmed that efforts are underway to locate the absconding truck driver, who fled the scene immediately after the accident.
Local residents and family members of the victims have raised concerns about the lack of adequate lighting and road signs in the area, which they believe could have contributed to the accident. The incident has also sparked discussions about the need for stricter enforcement of speed limits and regular vehicle safety inspections to prevent such tragedies.
In response to the incident, officials have assured a thorough investigation and have urged motorists to exercise caution while driving, especially on highways during late-night hours. The families of the deceased and injured have demanded swift justice and better support for road accident victims.