Hyderabad: Former Footballer, 2 Others Die in Road Accident; Driver Fatigue Blamed

Hyderabad: Former national football player W. Chandrashekar and two others were killed, and one was grievously injured when their car crashed through the divider and collided with a lorry in the other lane near Turkapally in Medchal police limits late on Wednesday. Those dead included the footballer’s wife Rekha, and his nephew Nihal, while his son Lohit was grievously injured.

Chandrashekar works for the South Central Railway in Secunderabad and had represented Telangana in the Santosh Trophy national football tournament in 2014. According to police, Chandrashekar and his family were returning to Hyderabad from Godavarikhani in a car, and driver fatigue is suspected to have led to the accident.

Police said Chandrashekar might have dozed off at the wheel, causing him to lose control of the vehicle, ram into the divider and hit the oncoming lorry in the opposite lane.

Police said the footballer’s son suffered internal injuries, including fractured ribs and other internal fractures. He is being treated at the Railway Hospital. Hospital authorities confirmed that he is now out of danger and is recovering under medical supervision.

The deaths of Chandrashekar and his family members sent shockwaves through the football community. The Telangana Football Association (TFA) expressed deep grief over the loss of the former player and his family.

A condolence meeting was held at the TFA office at 5 pm on Thursday, where coaches, referees, former players and office-bearers gathered to pay their respects. Members observed a moment of silence and remembered Chandrashekar's contributions to football in Telangana, describing his death as a loss to the sporting fraternity.