One Dead, Another Critical in Fall From Hyderabad s Biodiversity Flyover

Hyderabad: In a suspected case of drunk driving, two youngsters who were travelling on a two-wheeler fell off the Biodiversity Level-II flyover and landed on the Level-I flyover, around 20 feet below on Sunday night.

One of the riders, Macha Giri, 24, died on the spot due to multiple injuries while the other, Bandi Madhu, 26, is in critical condition, the police said. They were MRI technicians at the Telangana Institute of Medical Sciences (TIMS) in Gachibowli and were on their way for night duty.

The police said that the duo was speeding, going much faster than the 40kmph speed limit, as the bike, which was on the side of the Level-II flyover, was found to be in the sixth gear.

M. Mahesh, station house officer of Raidurgam police station, said that the condition of the bike also indicates speeding. He said the rider could have lost balance and hit the railing, due to which the two were thrown off the flyover.

The police said the incident took place around 9.30 pm, after the duo met their friends in Khajaguda village, had dinner and started towards TIMS.

However, the police said the duo had to take the road below the flyover to reach their destination and it was unclear why they took the flyover.

“Madhu, who is undergoing treatment at a nearby private hospital, is unconscious in the ICU and under observation. Only if he recovers and gives a statement can we know why they took the flyover, besides other information about the incident,” a police officer said.

The police said Macha Giri was a native of Suryapet district and Madhu, of Medak. Both belonged to families of farm labourers and had moved to the city for a job after completing their education.

They found employment at TIMS a few months ago and only just started supporting their families, relatives of the victims said.

Macha Giri’s body was handed over to his family after a post-mortem examination.

Past incidents:

November 10, 2019: A drunk techie rammed his car into four youths clicking selfies at a newly inaugurated structure. Two were killed and two were injured.

November 23, 2019: K. Milan Rao, a businessman, lost control of his speeding car, hit the railing and jumped off a flyover, killing a woman and injuring a few others.

An inquiry committee that looked into the Milan Rao accident suggested setting up rumble strips to force drivers to reduce speed.