Four Killed, Eight Injured After Lorry Crashes Into Wedding Party Auto in Markapuram District
A late-night road accident in Andhra Pradesh's Markapuram district turned a family wedding into a tragedy after a speeding lorry rammed into an auto-rickshaw carrying relatives of the bride. Four members of the same family were killed and eight others sustained injuries in the collision, which occurred in Kambham town on the Amaravati–Anantapur National Highway.
According to preliminary information, the accident took place at around 1:15 a.m. on Thursday near the Vinayaka Swamy Temple on Kambham's main road. The victims had travelled to attend the wedding of a relative and were heading to the temple with other family members when the incident occurred.
The deceased have been identified as Alakananda, Ankalu, Nagesh and four-year-old Nageswari (also referred to as Nagalakshmi in local accounts). All four belonged to the same family from Nallabanda Bazaar in Giddalur town, making the loss especially devastating for their relatives.
Collision Near Temple Turns Celebration Into Mourning
Family members had travelled in an auto-rickshaw to the Vinayaka Swamy Temple, where wedding-related rituals were being held. As the vehicle reached the temple, several passengers got down and stood by the roadside. However, Ankalu and Alakananda, along with Nagesh and the child, remained seated inside the auto.
Moments later, a lorry travelling at high speed struck the auto from behind.
Ankalu, Alakananda and Nagesh died at the scene. The injured child was first taken to the Kambham Government Hospital. Doctors later referred her to Markapuram for advanced treatment, but she died while being shifted.
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Eight Injured, Bride Among Those Hurt
The impact also injured people who had already stepped out of the auto and were standing nearby. Eight people suffered injuries and were taken to hospital for treatment.
Among those reported to have sustained serious injuries are Sanjeevarayudu, Veeraiah and Olamma. The bride, Veerakka, suffered minor injuries along with four other relatives.
The four people who died were relatives from the bride's side of the family. The accident transformed what had been a wedding celebration into a scene of grief for the family and the local community.
Police Register Case
Police reached the accident site soon after receiving information and began an investigation. A case has been registered, and authorities are examining the circumstances that led to the crash.
According to available information, the lorry involved in the accident was travelling from Madanapalle in Chittoor district to Wyra in Telangana carrying a load of coconut husk fertiliser. Investigators are continuing to gather details about the incident, and the exact sequence of events remains under investigation.
The accident has once again highlighted the human toll of serious road crashes on India's highways, where collisions involving heavy vehicles continue to claim lives despite ongoing efforts to improve road safety.