Five killed as auto-rickshaw hits car

Visakhapatnam: Tragedy struck on the eve of Sankranti festival in Visakhapatnam district. Five persons travelling in an auto-rickshaw, including the driver of the three-wheeler were killed in a road accident near Etigairampeta under Golugonda police station limits in the district on Friday morning.

The auto-rickshaw collided head on with a car. The deceased were identified as D Appa Rao (50), M Balaraju (45), B Nagamani (50), S Pothuraju (45) and S Kasulamma (37), all natives of Koyyuru and Golugonda areas.

Sub-Inspector of Golugonda G Uma Maheswara Rao said that the auto-rickshaw, was heading towards Narsipatnam from Downuru and its driver Appa Rao lost control over the vehicle and hit a Maruti Swift car, which was coming in the opposite direction.

Appa Rao, Balaraju and Nagamani died on the spot with severe head injuries while Pothu Raju and Kasulamma died while they were being taken to the hospital. The police registered a case and are investigating.

Eyewitnesses who were familiar with the auto-rickshaw driver told police that he was too tired making several trips carrying people to their homes for the Sankranti festival.