Five engineering students killed in horrific road accident in Palnadu district

A tragic road accident in Palnadu district late Thursday night claimed the lives of five engineering students and left another severely injured. The incident took place on National Highway-16 near Chilakaluripet, within the Nadendla police station limits.

According to police, the accident occurred when a speeding car rammed into a lorry whose driver suddenly slowed down near the Chilakaluripet new bypass. The impact was so severe that the car was completely crushed. Four students died on the spot. Two others were rushed to the Guntur Government Hospital, where one of them succumbed to injuries during treatment. The remaining student is said to be in a critical condition.

The deceased were identified as Ramireddy, Srikanth, Mahesh, Karthik, and Vasu, all aged between 20 and 22. Police said four of them were observing Ayyappa Deeksha, while another was part of the Govindamala group. The group was reportedly on their way to Vittamrajupalle in Vinukonda mandal for an Ayyappa bhajan when the crash took place.

Former minister and Chilakaluripet MLA Prathipati Pulla Rao visited the Guntur Government Hospital and met the injured student. He expressed deep sorrow, saying it was heartbreaking to lose promising young lives in such a manner.

State Minister Nara Lokesh also conveyed shock over the incident. Calling it a painful loss of talented youngsters, he assured that the government would support the families of the deceased and instructed officials to ensure the best possible treatment for the injured student.

Meanwhile, locals expressed concern about frequent accidents in the same stretch, blaming careless driving by heavy vehicles at night, poor lighting, and the lack of proper signboards on the bypass road. They urged authorities to improve road safety measures immediately to prevent further tragedies.