Andhra Pradesh Road Tragedy: Family of Five Killed in High-Speed Crash on Treacherous Ghat
Fog-shrouded crash wipes out three generations in seconds.
In a devastating tragedy, five members of a single family, including two children aged four and five, lost their lives in a brutal head-on collision on the notoriously dangerous Kotekal ghat curve in Yemmiganur mandal of Kurnool district in the early hours of Saturday morning.
The accident took place around 4 am when the family’s car, travelling from Yemmiganur towards Bengaluru, collided head-on with another vehicle approaching from Adoni. Dense early-morning fog drastically reduced visibility, and the sharp, blind curve between the hills left both drivers with no time to react, resulting in a catastrophic high-speed impact that crushed both vehicles beyond recognition.
The victims were identified as 76-year-old Venkatesham from Chikkahosalli village in Karnataka’s Kolar district, his daughter Meenakshi (32), son-in-law Satish (34), and their young sons Ritwik (4) and Bunnith (5). All five occupants died on the spot. Venkatesham’s wife Gangamma and the driver Suresh sustained life-threatening injuries and are undergoing intensive treatment at Yemmiganur Government Hospital, where doctors have described their condition as critical.
Also Read: Five Dead, Three Critically Injured as SUV Collides Head-On with Truck in Chhattisgarh
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed deep anguish over the incident and immediately directed district authorities to ensure world-class medical care for the injured while extending full government assistance to the bereaved family. He instructed officials to expedite relief measures and strengthen safety protocols on the high-risk ghat stretch.
Multiple cabinet ministers, including Transport Minister Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy, R&B Minister BC Janardhan Reddy, and others, visited the site virtually and in coordination with local administration, ordering enhanced fog-warning systems, stricter speed enforcement, and immediate repairs to the hazardous section. Ministers emphasised the urgent need for reflective signage and speed breakers to prevent further loss of life on one of Andhra Pradesh’s most treacherous hill roads.
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