Two Hyderabad students killed in road mishap in UK; 5 hurt

Hyderabad: A road accident in the United Kingdom claimed the lives of two students from Hyderabad and left five others injured, two of them critically.

The mishap occurred on Monday in Essex city when two cars collided on the Dual Carriageway A130 at the Rayleigh Spur roundabout.

The group of nine students was returning after participating in Ganesh Visarajan celebrations.

Fatalities reported

The deceased were identified as Chaitanya Tarre (23) of Nadargul and Rishiteja Rapolu (21) of Boduppal.

Chaitanya, who had gone to London only eight months ago for his Master’s degree after completing BTech, died on the spot. Rishiteja succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment at a hospital.

Injured under treatment

Five students were admitted to the Royal London Hospital following the crash. Among them, Sai Goutham Ravulla (30) is on ventilation, while Nuthan Thatikayala has been left partially paralysed.

The other injured were identified as Yuva Teja Reddy Gurram, Vamshi Golla and Venkata Sumanth Pentyala, are also undergoing treatment, with the condition of two described as critical.

The two students who were driving the cars, Gopichand Batamekala and Manohar Sabbani, have been taken into custody by UK police. An investigation is underway to establish the circumstances leading to the accident.

Shock and grief in Hyderabad

News of the tragedy reached the families in Hyderabad late on Monday night, leaving them devastated. Chaitanya’s parents, Ailayya and Mangamma, were inconsolable after being informed of their son’s death.

Initially, the family was told he was in critical condition, but a few hours later, they received confirmation that he had passed away.

Rishiteja’s family in Boduppal was similarly heartbroken on learning about the loss. Both students had gone abroad with hopes of building successful careers, and their sudden demise has cast a pall of gloom over their neighbourhoods.

Appeal for repatriation

The grieving families have appealed to both the Central and State governments to expedite arrangements for bringing the bodies back to Hyderabad so that the final rites can be performed.