Four killed after tractor-trolley overturns in Khammam

Devi Sarannavaratri celebrations ends on a tragic note during idol’s immersion

Devi Sarannavaratri celebrations ended on a tragic note at Kamalapuram village in Mudigonda mandal late on Saturday night when four villagers including a woman were killed after the tractor-trolley they were travelling in overturned near the village en route to the idols’ immersion site.

The accident took place on the outskirts of the village on the Kamalapuram-Banapuram road around Saturday midnight. The gory accident occurred barely ten minutes after the tractor-trolley carrying around 15 persons to a lake at Gandasiri village, the Durga idols’ immersion site, left Kamalapuram after an elaborate ceremony organised by the villagers marking the conclusion of the Sarannavaratri festive revelry.The tractor-trolley turned turtle after the driver reportedly lost control over the steering amid heavy rain due to poor visibility. Death was instant for Uma, 38, Upender, 25, Nagaraju, 23, and B Swamy, 50, who were sitting in the trolley. Three other occupants of the trolley suffered multiple injuries.

The driver of the tractor-trolley fled the accident site, leaving the injured wreathing in pain and screaming for help stuck in the roadside mud, amid sharp showers in the dead of the night, sources said. It was not immediately known whether the driver was under the influence of alcohol.