An Ayyappa devotee was killed, while 6 others suffered injuries, in a road accident which occurred at Chillakuru Village, Pellakuru mandal in Nellore district, in the wee hours of Tuesday.
According to Sub-Inspector Kantha Rao, the mishap occurred when the jeep carrying the pilgrims went out of control after hitting the carcass of a buffalo lying on the roadside. The jeep driver lost control over his vehicle, and veered into an oncoming lorry at a high speed.
Kantha Rao revealed that the jeep was carrying 11 pilgrims who were on their way to Tirupati after visiting Sabari in Kerala for a pilgrimage to worship Lord Ayyappa.
The mishap occurred at around 3am, in which Uppala Chinavenkateshwara Rao (52) was killed. The injured have been identified as Midde Srinivas Rao, Mirella Srinivas Rao, Gandikota Nagender, Venkateshwara Rao, Uppala Rama Rao, Gujjunoor Srinivas Rao and Radha Krishna.
A case has been registered under Section 304-A and 337 IPC against the jeep driver.