Road Accident – Four Killed as Truck Hits Wedding Party Near Cumbham
Road Accident – A pre-wedding temple visit ended in tragedy early Friday when a truck crashed into an auto-rickshaw and a group of relatives waiting beside it on the Amaravati-Anantapur National Highway near Cumbham. Four people died in the accident, while several others were injured.
Victims Were Travelling From Giddalur
Police identified the deceased as Avula Ankalu, 22; his wife Alakananda, also known as Anjamma, 18; Avula Nagesh, 18; and four-year-old Avula Nagalakshmi. All of them were residents of Nallabanda Bazaar in Giddalur.
The group had been travelling with bride Avula Veerakka for a wedding scheduled later on Friday morning.
Temple Stop Before Wedding Ceremony
According to police, the accident took place at around 1.15 am near the Sri Siddhi Vinayaka Swamy temple junction. The wedding party had halted at the temple as part of a customary visit before the marriage ceremony.
Some relatives got down from the auto-rickshaw and entered the temple for prayers. Others waited near the vehicle, while the four victims remained seated inside the auto-rickshaw.
Truck Rammed Into Parked Auto-Rickshaw
Investigators said a truck carrying coconut husk manure struck the stationary auto-rickshaw from behind. The truck was reportedly travelling from Madanapalle towards Wyra in Telangana when the crash occurred.
The impact severely damaged the auto-rickshaw and caused panic among members of the wedding party. Emergency personnel and local police teams reached the location soon after receiving information about the collision.
Three Critically Injured Shifted to Ongole
Three people identified as Veeraiah, Sanjeeva Rayudu and Olamma suffered serious injuries in the accident. They were initially provided medical assistance and later moved to a hospital in Ongole for specialised treatment.
The bride and four other members of the group sustained minor injuries and were reported to be receiving care.
Police Begin Investigation Into Crash
Cumbham Circle Inspector Mallikarjuna and Sub-Inspector Sivakrishna Reddy supervised rescue and relief work at the accident site. Police have registered a case in connection with the incident and taken the truck driver into custody.
Officials are examining the circumstances that led to the collision, including the speed of the vehicle and road conditions at the time of the accident.
Ministers Express Condolences
Transport Minister Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy and Social Welfare Minister Dola Sree Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy expressed grief over the deaths and offered condolences to the families of those killed.
The Transport Minister also instructed medical authorities to provide appropriate treatment to those injured in the crash. The incident has brought renewed attention to road safety risks faced by travellers stopping along busy highway stretches, particularly during late-night journeys.