In a devastating incident in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, eight schoolchildren suffered injuries after an auto they were traveling in collided with a truck. The accident, recorded by a nearby CCTV camera, unfolded as the children were en route to Bethany School around 7 am.
The 35-second footage depicted the Sangam Sarat Theatre junction with relatively light traffic before the collision. At 7:35 am, a truck approached the crossing beneath a flyover when a speeding auto, approaching from the left, crashed into it. The impact led to the harrowing sight of schoolchildren being thrown from the auto as the truck continued without halting.
Witnessing the distressing scene, bystanders swiftly intervened, rushing to aid the injured. Efforts were made to move the overturned auto to rescue those trapped beneath it.
Out of the eight children involved, four have been discharged from the hospital, while three remain under medical care. Tragically, one student’s condition is critical, according to statements from the police.
Senior police officer Srinivasa Rao provided details, stating, “An auto collided with a truck at Sangam Sarat Theatre junction in Visakhapatnam. Eight school children were injured and shifted to the hospital. Four of them have been discharged. Three students are undergoing treatment. One student’s situation is critical.”
Authorities have detained both drivers, citing overloading of the auto and probing whether the truck had permission to operate during the early hours. Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the collision are ongoing.
The collision serves as a stark reminder of road safety measures and the necessity of adhering to regulations, especially during school transportation hours. Further updates regarding the investigation are awaited as authorities work to ascertain the sequence of events leading to this tragic incident.
Sources By Agencies
