Speeding truck runs into pole, crushes six under wheels, 14 electrocuted in Andhra Pradesh's Chittoor

Hyderabad: At least 20 people were killed on the spot and several others injured when a truck driver lost control and hit an electric pole before ploughing the vehicle into pedestrians, cars and shops the in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh on Friday.

According to news agency ANI, the tragic incident happened at around 1:45 pm, when a large number of people had gathered in front of the Yerpedu police station located on the Putalapattu-Nayudupeta state highway to stage a dharna to demand action against illegal sand mining in the area.

The incident took place at Yerpedu, which is about 25 km away from Tirupati.

20 killed in a road accident in Andhra Pradesh's Chittoor district — ANI (@ANI_news) April 21, 2017

Police, investigating the case, believes the truck driver was drunk. The heavily-loaded truck moving with high speed, when it lost control and hit an electric pole before crushing several people under its wheels. 

The truck came to a halt after destroying several vehicles and road side shops, which were gutted in a fire that broke out in one of the shops due to impact of the accident.

The driver and the cleaner absconded after the accident.

Giving more details about the mishap, Renigunta Deputy Superintendent of Police KS Nanjndappa said six people were crushed under the wheels of the truck, while the remaining 14 died of electric shock with high tension wires falling on them and fire in the shops. 

The traffic movement on the Yerpedu, Srikalahasti, Renigunta and Tirupati routes has been affected, ed.

Those injured in the incident have been shifted to Ruia hospital in Tirupati, while few others have been rushed to Chennai and Vellore. The condition of 10 of the injured is said to be critical.

The Andhra Pradesh government announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 5 lakh to the families of the deceased.