Chittoor Bus Accident Toll Rises To 9, Two Critical

CHITTOOR: The death toll in the bus accident in Chittoor district has gone up to nine with one more person succumbing to injuries in the hospital at Tirupati. Doctors have said that the condition of two more passengers is still critical.

The driver's negligence and overspeeding were said to be the cause of the bus accident on Bhakarapeta ghat road on the Madanapalle-Tirupati National Highway in Chandragiri constituency on Saturday night, which was carrying around 52 passengers at that time. They were all going for the engagement function to be held on Sunday morning when the private bus fell into a 50-feet deep gorge. The injured were admitted to SVR Ruia Government General Hospital in Tirupati. The driver Rasool Basha (47), cleaner Shakeel (25), Malishetti Ganesh (40), Malishetti Murali (45), Malishetti Vengappa (60) and Lakshmi Kantamma (40) died on the spot. Adinarayana Reddy (45) and Nagalakshmi (60) died in the hospital, while Yashaswini (8), who was critically injured, died later.

Another 43 injured are being treated at various hospitals. Twenty-two people who suffered fractures are being treated at Bird Hospital, 12 victims who are SVIMS are in need of surgery and another nine are being treated RUIA. 

On Sunday, Deputy Chief Minister Narayana Swamy, Minister Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy, Chandragiri MLA Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy, and Dharmavaram MLA Kethireddy Venkatrami Reddy visited the injured being treated at the three hospitals.

Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy also spoke to district ministers and officials on the incident. He instructed the medical officials to provide better medical care for the victims. Ministers Narayana Swamy and Peddireddy said that most of the injured belonged to a family of handloom weavers.,

 The Andhra Pradesh government has already announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the dead and Rs 50,000 to the injured.

Also Read: Chittoor Bus Accident: PM Modi Expresses Grief, Announces Rs 2 Lakh Ex-gratia