3 passengers killed, many injured as concrete lorry crashes into govt bus in Annamayya

Rayachoti: Three passengers died and few more travellers are in critical condition after a concrete lorry hit an Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) bus at a village in Annamayya district on Saturday.

The accident occurred on a national highway (NH 716) that is being maintained by the state government, police said.

"It is a straight road, not a black spot. The lorry (concrete truck) took a sharp turn from left to right and hit the bus," Annamayya district superintendent of police R Gangadhara Rao told.

According to the SP, the bus was going from Tirupati to Kadapa and managed to avoid a direct head-on collision but the lorry also turned in the same direction as the bus and struck it in the middle.

Following the crash, the bus got damaged with most of the front seats crushed, killing three persons while two are in critical condition. Besides, several others sustained injuries.

Further, the lorry driver suffered a fracture in his legs and is currently undergoing treatment.

Rao said police are yet to ascertain if the lorry driver was in an inebriated condition.

Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy expressed shock over the loss of lives in the RTC bus accident at Pullampeta in Annamayya district and conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families.

He directed the officials to provide proper medical treatment to the injured and stand by the victim families.

The Chief Minister announced ex-gratia of Rs. 10 lakh each to the kin of the deceased, Rs. 2 lakh each to the seriously injured and Rs. 50,000 each to those who suffered minor injuries.

Inputs from PTI