In a freak accident, at least 20 people were killed on the spot on Friday, when a truck driver lost control and ran into a group of protesters in Yerpadu of Chittoor district in Andhra Pradesh. In the same accident, apart from 20 casualties, 20 other people were severely injured.
This incident happened at around 1:45 P.M., when people gathered in front of the Yerpadu police station in a protest. This protest was against the illegal sand mining in the area. The police said the truck, which was carrying a heavy load was traveling at high speed. Before running into the people, the truck hit an electric pole and destroyed several vehicles and shops. One of shops broke out in a fire, which gradually spread to other shops. Both the driver and cleaner of the vehicle escaped from the scene of accident.
K.S. Nanjndappa, the Deputy Superintendent of Renigunta said six people were crushed under the tires and the other 14 died due to electrocution from the high tension wires from the poles and the fire. Of the injured, the severely injured were shifted to Ruia in Vellore while the others were shifted to Chennai and Vellore. 10 of the injured are allegedly in a critical situation
The government of Andhra Pradesh declared an ex gratia of Rs. 5 lakhs to the families of the dead. The CM Chandrababu Naidu expressed his grief about the accident and loss of life and directed the collector to supervise the relief operations personally.
