7 killed as auto collides with bus in Anantapur; 8 hurt

Anantapur: Seven workers, including three women, died and eight others were injured on Saturday when the auto-rickshaw they were travelling in was hit by an APSRTC bus in Garladinne in Anantapur district, said a police official.

They were returning to their village Putluru after working in Garladinne mandal.

The auto driver turned towards Garladinne town without noticing a speeding bus behind a truck. The auto avoided getting hit by the truck but could not dodge the bus.

According to police, 13 persons were travelling in the auto, along with the driver, when the bus coming from Dharmavaram to Hyderabad hit it. Besides the seven casualties, all other passengers in the auto were injured but out of danger, an official said. A case was being booked, police added.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday conveyed regret over the incident in which seven persons died. He assured the families of the deceased that the State Government would come to their aid and announced Rs 5 lakh as ex gratia each to the families. The CM directed the district officials to take steps to see to it that the injured in the incident get the best possible medicare.