5 Members of Karnataka Family Killed Near Yemmiganur

Kurnool: Five members of a family died in a ghastly road accident at Kotekal in Yemmiganur mandal of Kurnool district during the early hours of Saturday.

The family, from Chinnahosahalli in Kolar district of Karnataka, had been proceeding in a car to Mantralayam for darshan when the mishap occurred. Their car collided head-on with another vehicle coming from Adoni, resulting in the instantaneous death of five passengers.

Yemmiganur Rural police have identified those killed as Venkatesam, 76, his daughter Meenakshi, 32, son-in-law Satish, 34, and two grandchildren Ritwik, 4 and Banith, 5. Venkatesam’s wife Gangamma, suffered critical injuries and has been shifted to the Government General Hospital, Kurnool. The injured occupants of the other vehicle involved in the accident have also been rushed to nearby hospitals for medical assistance.

Preliminary investigations by police suggest that the accident may have occurred as the driver fell asleep at the wheel during the early morning hours.

Yemmiganur Rural police have registered a case.

On receiving information, DIG Dr. Koya Praveen, SP Vikrant Patil and other senior police officials rushed to the accident site and supervised the rescue and relief operations.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has expressed deep grief over the loss of lives. He directed officials to ensure the best possible treatment for the injured.

Ministers T.G. Bharath, M. Ramprasad Reddy, B.C. Janardhan Reddy and district in-charge minister N. Ramanaidu spoke to district officials over phone and enquired about the condition of the injured.

Later, minister Bharath, along with district collector Dr. A. Siri, visited the casualty ward at the Government General Hospital in Kurnool and reviewed the health condition of the injured. They instructed hospital authorities to extend all possible treatment to the injured.