Amaravati, June 22 (IANS) Two persons, including a toddler, were killed and 15 others were injured when an RTC bus in which they were travelling collided with a lorry in Andhra Pradesh’s Tirupati district early Monday, officials said.

Police said the head-on collision occurred on the Kadapa-Chennai national highway near Udumvaripalli in Pullampeta mandal. The bus belonging to Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) was heading to Kadapa from Tirupati. A lorry, which was on its way to Chennai from Yerraguntla, rammed into the bus near Udumvaripalli.

A two-year-old child died on the spot, while several others were injured. There were 37 passengers in the bus, and 16 of them received grievous injuries.

Police rushed to the spot and launched a rescue and relief operation. The injured were shifted by ambulances to the government hospital at Rajampeta. Some of the injured were later shifted to Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Kadapa, where a 16-year-old girl, Yashwitha, succumbed. The condition of some of the injured is stated to be critical.

The lorry was reportedly being driven by the cleaner as the driver had dozed off. Police registered a case and took up the investigation.

Transport Minister Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy expressed shock over the accident involving the Tirupati-Kadapa Super Luxury bus. He conveyed deep condolences to the families of the deceased — Puneeth Sai and student Yashwitha.

The Minister offered his sympathies to the bereaved families and directed that the best medical care be provided to the injured. The Minister inquired about the health condition of the victims undergoing treatment at Rajampeta Government Hospital.

He advised shifting those with severe injuries to advanced medical centers for better treatment. The Minister wished for a speedy recovery for all those injured in the accident.

The Transport Minister assured the affected families of full support. He inquired with officials over the phone regarding road safety standards and details concerning the bus and lorry involved. Ramprasad Reddy advised taking appropriate measures to prevent such incidents in the future.

Minister for Revenue, Registration and Stamps, Anagani Satyaprasad, who is also the Minister-in-charge of Tirupati district, expressed shock over the accident. He conveyed condolences to the families of the deceased. The Minister inquired with officials about the medical treatment being provided to the injured.

He directed officials to ensure advanced medical care for the critically injured. The minister also assured that the government will extend all possible help to the families of the deceased.

–IANS

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