Speeding vehicle kills four devotees heading to Kanaka Durga Temple

Four Bhavani devotees from Andhra Pradesh’s Vizianagaram district were killed when a speeding vehicle hit them near Kathipudi in Kakinada district. The devotees had stopped after their bus broke down while travelling to Vijayawada for darshan at Kanaka Durga Temple

Amaravati: At least four Bhavani devotees were killed when a speeding SUV rammed into them in Andhra Pradesh’s Kakinada district on Thursday, police said.

Another devotee was injured in the accident, which occurred near Kathipudi in Prathipadu constituency.

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According to police, the accident occurred when the devotees were crossing the road to have tea after the bus in which they were travelling broke down.

The bus, carrying devotees from Vizianagaram district, was on its way to Vijayawada. They were travelling to the city for darshan at Sri Kanaka Durga Temple.

As the bus had stopped due to a technical problem, some devotees got down and headed to a nearby tea stall. Meanwhile, a speeding vehicle coming from Etcherla in Srikakulam district rammed into them.

Three devotees died on the spot, while another later succumbed to injuries. The deceased were identified as C. Yerraiah (38), L. Sitaram (45), T. Shivaprasad (40) and B.R. Sattibabu (40).

Police rushed to the spot and shifted the injured to a local hospital. The bodies of the deceased were taken to a government hospital for post-mortem examination.

Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan expressed grief over the accident in which four Bhavani devotees lost their lives.

He said it was heartbreaking that devotees who had completed their vow and were on their way to have darshan of Kanaka Durga had lost their lives midway. He conveyed his deep condolences to the families of the deceased.

The Deputy Chief Minister spoke to the Kakinada District Collector over the phone and gathered details about the incident.

The District Collector explained that the accident occurred when a speeding vehicle hit the devotees from behind after they had got down from the bus, which had stopped near Ravikampadu Junction. They were heading to a nearby hotel.

Pawan Kalyan directed that a thorough investigation be conducted into the incident and that the injured receive the best possible medical treatment. He assured the families of the deceased that the coalition government would extend all possible support.