Villagers Set Van Ablaze After Fatal Accident on Kurnool-Hyderabad Highway

Tragedy Strikes as Van Collides with Three-Wheeler and Bike, Claiming Five Lives

Chaos unfolded on the Kurnool-Hyderabad highway, approximately 70 km away from the city, as a speeding van collided with a three-wheeler and a bike, resulting in the tragic demise of five individuals. In a fit of rage, infuriated villagers took matters into their own hands, setting the van ablaze and allegedly assaulting a police Inspector and several constables on the fateful Friday evening.

The accident occurred when the van collided with a motorcycle that was crossing the road, before tragically ploughing into pedestrians who were also attempting to cross. The bike was occupied by one person, while two others were riding pillion. Regrettably, two of the bike riders and three pedestrians lost their lives in this horrifying incident.

Eight others sustained severe injuries, with the condition of three being declared critical by Mahbubnagar DSP Mahesh, who promptly arrived at the scene with additional police forces. As anger boiled among the agitated mob, they unleashed their fury on anyone who crossed their path, eventually resorting to setting the van on fire, the very vehicle responsible for the fatal collision.

Amidst the chaotic scene, the Circle Inspector of the area and his accompanying police constables fell victim to the wrath of the enraged crowd. However, some compassionate villagers formed a protective shield around the police officers, shielding them from harm, and quickly moved them to the safety of a nearby school building. Meanwhile, two other policemen managed to escape the pursuing crowds, as reports reached here.

The victims of this heart-wrenching incident include two young girls, Jumna aged 3 and Tinki aged 8, as well as a 10-year-old boy named Jaswanth. The other two victims have been identified as Sunitha and Panni. The accident brought traffic on the highway to a grinding halt, causing a massive pile-up of vehicles for several kilometers on both sides of Balanagar.