A gruesome road accident involving a lorry and a bus took place in the Nalgonda district on Wednesday, taking the lives of many and bringing pain and anguish to several families.
According to reports, the RTC bus (AP29 Z2270) belonging to the Narketpally depot and with about 45 passengers was proceeding towards Nalgonda from Bhongir when a speeding lorry, which was carrying books and coming in the opposite direction, rammed into it at a corner at Thummalagudem in the Ramannapet mandal.
18 passengers died on the spot and several others were injured seriously. Children and women were the majority of those dead. Many passengers also turned unconscious from the shock.
Several bodies got trapped under the mangled seats, and it was not possible to identify them. The parts of several bodies lay scattered helter-skelter, making for a gory picture.
According to eye witnesses, the accident took place due to negligent driving of the lorry's driver.
The locals who were present at the spot reacted immediately and informed the police and 108. The police rushed to the spot and shifted the injured to Narketpally's Kamineni Hospital and the Ramannapet Government Hospital.
Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao expressed shock over the incident and conveyed deep condolences to the families of the victims. He directed the officials to extend all possible help, and also asked ministers Nayani Narasimha Reddy, G Jagadish Reddy and Mahender Reddy to rush to the spot and take necessary steps.
The Chief Minister also directed the officials concerned to sanction Rs. 2 lakhs to the family of each of the victims. This amount would be in addition to the ex-gratia to be given by the RTC, KCR said.