At least 12 people have been killed in a horrific road accident on Friday in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. A speeding lorry, which was headed towards Bengaluru, crashed into a car and a bike after losing control.
According to the Bangarupalem police, the incident took place on Chittoor-Bengaluru Highway at Mogilighat. At least two other people were injured in the accident and are undergoing treatment in Palamaner hospital.
The lorry crashed into the vehicles coming from the opposite direction, allegedly due to brake failure. According to eyewitnesses, the impact of the collision was such that the vehicles were reduced to mangled pieces of metal.
Speaking to TNM, Bangarupalem SHO D Nettikantaiah said, "The lorry was travelling at a high speed and hit the divider. After losing control of the vehicle, it slammed into an Omni car and a bike, which were moving in the opposite direction, leaving 10 people dead."
According to police, nine victims, including women, are from the neighbouring Marrimakulapally village in Gangavaram mandal. The two-wheeler rider is also died in the accident.
The SHO further said, "The deceased have been identified. They were all returning from final rites of a relative in a nearby village. One of the passengers, the cleaner in the lorry, is in critical condition and is undergoing treatment. The driver fled from the scene and is yet to be found."
Preliminary police investigations suggest that the speeding lorry was the cause of the accident.
The district collector and SP rushed to the accident site to oversee rescue operations.
(With inputs from IANS)