Kothagudem: Driver dies in accident at ITC factory, family protests

A truck driver died after his vehicle collided with a fire pipeline at the ITC PSPD factory in Sarapaka. The incident led to protests by family members seeking compensation, which was later called off after assurances from officials.

Kothagudem: The death of a driver in an accident on Tuesday at the ITC PSPD factory at Sarapaka in Burgampahad mandal limits has triggered protests by family members.

In the accident, the truck which the deceased was driving collided with a fire pipeline, and he sustained severe neck injuries, while two other individuals escaped unhurt. The driver, Joseph Thambi (50), of Musalimadugu in the district, was employed by a transport company based in Lakshmipuram village.

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After transporting pulp material to the ITC pulp yard and completing the unloading process, the driver was heading out for external work when the lorry struck a fire pipeline located near the yard, causing the pipe to buckle completely.

The security personnel rushed Thambi to a hospital at Bhadrachalam; however, he succumbed to his injuries on the way. In the evening, the deceased driver’s family members staged a protest at the factory main gate seeking compensation.

ITC officials arrived at the scene and assured the family members that justice would be delivered through the concerned contractor; consequently, the family members called off their protest.