VISAKHAPATNAM: Four persons died and over 27 were injured in two road accidents in Visakhapatnam district here Tuesday. All the victims were pilgrims returning from the Godavari Pushkaralu from Rajahmundry.
The deceased have been identified as K Sanyasamma (53), R Demuduamma (60), R Sanyasamma (62) and R Atchayyamma (60), all from Lakkavarapukota and Reddyvanipalem villages of Vizianagaram district.
According to sources, in one accident a Tata Ace vehicle, carrying 30 passengers, overturned and fell after crashing into a railing of a small bridge across a culvert at Koduru village of K Kotapadu mandal of the district Tuesday morning. The incident took place when the driver lost control over the vehicle as he was feeling drowsy.
Four passengers died on the spot and 12 were injured and are being treated in a hospital of Chodavaram, where condition of one of the injured is said to be critical. Later he was shifted to KGH.
Chodavarm inspector S Kiran Kumar said that there were seven children and 23 adults in the van. The driver, Mutyala Rao, in drowsy state is said to have caused the accident.
“Fortunately the depth of the culvert was not more than 25 feet and the water depth was around one foot and hence the casualty is low,” he added.
In the second mishap, nearly 15 people, including seven children, escaped with minor injuries after an auto-rickshaw carrying them turned turtle near Nakkapalle in the district. The victims, all from Gangavaram village, are said to be safe and are undergoing treatment in Nakkapalle area hospital.