Nandyal (AndhraPradesh) [India], January 22 : Three people were killed and several others injured after a private bus collided with a lorry near Sirivellametta in Nandyal district, Andhra Pradesh, officials said.
The accident occurred on Thursday near Sirivellametta in Nandyal district when a private bus suffered a tyre burst, causing it to collide with an oncoming lorry and triggering a massive fire. 36 passengers were reported to be on the bus at the time of the incident.
Locals rushed to the scene and assisted the passengers, while ambulance and fire service teams provided immediate medical attention. A local driver reportedly broke the bus windows, helping passengers escape the fire unharmed, while the bus cleaner also played a key role in rescuing passengers trapped inside. The injured were transported to nearby hospitals for further treatment.
Madhusudan, an inspector at Sirivellametta, told ANI, "A private bus suffered a tyre burst and collided with an oncoming lorry, resulting in the death of three people near Sirivellametta in Nandyal district. The bus driver, the lorry driver, and the cleaner were burnt alive in the accident. Soon after the collision, the bus caught fire. A local DCM driver broke the bus windows, helping 36 passengers escape safely and saving their lives."Three people died in the accident, four sustained serious injuries and were shifted to the hospital, while eight others suffered minor injuries."
Eyewitnesses at the scene stated that around 36 passengers were on board the bus at the time of the incident. They described hearing a loud sound followed by flames rapidly engulfing the vehicle. "People were shouting, warning others not to come close. Soon, we noticed ambulances and fire service teams arriving at the spot. Everything happened so suddenly that we could not understand what was happening," one eyewitness said.
The locals said, "The accident occurred after a bus tyre was punctured, causing the bus to collide with a lorry. It is also reported that the bus cleaner broke a window and helped rescue passengers.
Further details of the incident are awaited.