Visakhapatnam: Eight school children travelling in a single auto suffered injuries in a road accident at Sangam Sarath Junction on Wednesday morning.
CCTV footage clearly shows that it was the speeding and overcrowded auto that went on to hit a lorry.
All the kids suffered injuries. One of them, a girl suffered a severe head injury and has been operated upon in a private hospital.
The auto driver is undergoing treatment at the King George Hospital.
Another seven children travelling by an auto along PM Palem Road in Madhurawada escaped miraculously when a pig suddenly ran in front of the auto. The auto driver sustained minor injuries.
After the two accidents, YSRC North Andhra in-charge Y.V. Subba Reddy visited Seven Hills Hospital, where five children were undergoing treatment.
Speaking on the occasion, Subba Reddy said CCTV footage clearly showed that the auto driver had been negligent and rammed into the lorry. He assured that the state government will take action to prevent such incidents. He assured parents that the government will bear the full medical expenses of the children.
Parents blamed the auto driver for speeding.
When contacted by Deccan Chronicle, District Transport Corporation deputy commissioner Rajaratnam said an auto can carry maximum six school students. The autos should have a permit, insurance and fitness certificates. The vehicles must be within the speed limits allowed. “We make sure that school autos follow these rules,” Rajaratnam stated. He underlined that they have intensified inspections and booked on 28 autos on November 21.
The deputy commissioner said booking cases will not solve the problem. Parents should not send their children in an overcrowded auto. Schoolchildren should leave early enough for the school to avoid speeding.
Andhra Pradesh State Commission for Protection of Children's Rights member Gondu Sitaram visited the Seven Hills Hospital and met the students.
Maharanipeta mandal education officer Paidapu Naidu and District Child Welfare Department representative A. Anand were among those who visited the injured students.
Telugu Desam national general secretary N. Lokesh expressed shock over the auto rickshaw-lorry collision in Visakhapatnam, calling it as an unfortunate incident. In a statement, he offered prayers for speedy recovery of the injured children.
AP BJP chief Daggubati Purandeswari demanded the state government to take up inquiry and take stern action against those responsible.
Jana Sena leader and Visakhapatnam 32nd ward corporator Dr. Kandula Nagaraju visited Seven Hills Hospital to see the children.
