Vijayawada: Four people, including two children, were killed and nine others sustained injuries in a road accident involving a tempo traveller and an Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) bus near Mandlipalli village in Tanakallu mandal of Sri Sathya Sai district on Monday morning.According to Tanakallu police, the victims were part of a 14-member family group from Ballari, Karnataka, who undertook a pilgrimage to Tirumala. The group hired a mini van driven by Manikantha, a resident of Ballari, for the journey. After completing darshan at Tirumala on Saturday, they began their return journey to Ballari in the early hours of Monday.At around 9 am, while attempting to overtake another vehicle near Mandlipalli, the mini van collided head-on with an APSRTC bus coming from Kadiri towards Madanapalle. The impact resulted in severe damage to the mini van, leaving multiple passengers injured.Police said a woman named Anasuyamma (50) died on the spot after sustaining head injuries. Three others — Janvi (10) and her grandfather Nagendrappa, both from Ballari, and driver Manikantha (35) — succumbed to their injuries while being shifted to Anantapur govt hospital. Another child, Ritvika, is undergoing treatment at the hospital, where her condition is reported to be serious.The complainant, Velupulu Pawan Kumar (25), a resident of Ballari, sustained injuries to his right knee and forearms. Other injured members include his mother, Vasanthamma, his brother Kumaraswamy, sister-in-law Bhargavi, uncle Govindappa, and cousins B Nagarjuna and B G Kumaraswamy. Relatives Rakesh and Shashank also received bleeding injuries.Locals rushed to the spot and helped shift the injured to Tanakallu govt hospital. Later, they were moved to Kadiri govt hospital for further treatment. Due to the critical condition of some passengers, they were referred to Anantapur govt Hhspital.A case has been registered at Tanakallu police station. Police said Manikanta’s negligent driving led to the accident. Police said the investigation is on, and further legal action will follow.The bodies have been sent for post-mortem examination.
