Kurnool: Two people were killed after a private bus and a truck collided and burst into flames on a national highway in Andhra Pradesh’s Kurnool district in the early hours of Thursday, police said.
The accident occurred around 1.30 am when the bus, carrying 36 passengers, is believed to have suffered a tyre burst, causing the driver to lose control. The vehicle reportedly crossed the median and rammed into an oncoming truck transporting motorcycles. The impact triggered a fire that rapidly spread to both vehicles.
Passengers managed to escape as flames engulfed the bus, aided by the conductor, cleaner and local residents who broke open windows to help those trapped inside. Four passengers sustained minor injuries, including fractures, and were shifted to a government hospital for treatment.
The bus driver and the truck driver-cum-cleaner suffered fatal injuries in the crash and were declared dead. Their bodies were sent for post-mortem examination.
Firefighters and police rushed to the spot and brought the blaze under control, though both vehicles were completely gutted. Traffic on the highway was disrupted for several hours as rescue operations and clearance work were carried out.
Preliminary investigations point to a tyre failure as the cause of the accident, though officials said a detailed inquiry was underway to establish the exact sequence of events.
The incident has once again highlighted concerns over highway safety and vehicle maintenance, particularly during night travel, as authorities continue to investigate the circumstances leading to the fatal crash.
