TIPPER TRUCK COLLIDES WITH RTC BUS, KILLING TWENTY IN TELANGANA

A Tragic Morning on the Highway

In a heart-wrenching tragedy that shook Telangana on Tuesday morning, at least twenty people lost their lives and several others were injured when a tipper truck loaded with gravel collided head-on with an RTC bus on the Hyderabad–Bijapur highway near Kurnool crossroad in Sangareddy district. The impact was so severe that both vehicles were reduced to mangled wreckage within seconds, leaving behind a horrifying scene of destruction and loss.

According to initial reports, the RTC bus was travelling from Hyderabad to Raichur when the tipper truck, allegedly speeding and carrying an overloaded consignment of gravel, lost control and rammed into the bus. The collision occurred around 6:30 a.m., just as dawn broke over the busy national highway.

Local villagers and passersby were the first to rush to the spot, pulling victims from the twisted metal even before rescue teams arrived.

Chaos and Desperation at the Scene

Eyewitnesses described the scene as devastating. The force of the crash flung passengers out of their seats, shattering the bus windows and scattering personal belongings across the road. The front portion of the bus was completely destroyed, trapping several passengers inside.

Rescue operations were launched immediately by police, fire, and medical teams from nearby Patancheru and Zaheerabad. Heavy cranes were brought in to separate the two vehicles, while ambulances transported the injured to government hospitals in Sangareddy and Hyderabad.

By mid-morning, traffic on the highway came to a standstill, with long queues of vehicles stretching for several kilometres. The sight of broken glass, twisted iron, and personal bags lying amid the debris painted a haunting picture of the early-morning disaster.

Official Statements and Rescue Efforts

Police officials confirmed that at least 20 people, including the tipper driver and several passengers of the bus, died on the spot, while over 25 others sustained serious injuries. Some were rushed in critical condition to Gandhi Hospital and Osmania General Hospital in Hyderabad.

Sangareddy Superintendent of Police, ACP Srinivas Reddy, who led the rescue efforts, stated that initial investigation points to overspeeding and driver negligence as the primary cause of the accident. “The truck appears to have lost balance while overtaking another vehicle. We are verifying CCTV footage from the toll gate nearby,” he said.

District Collector P. Sharath visited the site and ordered an inquiry into the accident. The authorities have assured compensation for the families of the deceased and pledged stricter enforcement of speed regulations on the busy highway.

Eyewitness Accounts

Residents of nearby villages described how they were jolted awake by a deafening sound that echoed across the fields. “It was like an explosion,” said Ramesh Naik, a farmer who lives just 300 metres from the accident spot. “When we reached the road, we saw people crying, some trapped inside the bus, others lying on the ground. It was heartbreaking.”

Another eyewitness, Sushma Reddy, said she was travelling in another bus right behind the ill-fated one. “We saw the truck swerve suddenly. The next second, there was a huge bang, and everything went dark. We ran to help, but the sight was too painful.”

Many locals joined hands with police to help rescue victims and arrange transport for the injured. Several youth volunteers also provided first aid and distributed water and blankets until ambulances arrived.

The Victims and the Survivors

The RTC bus was reportedly carrying over 45 passengers, including daily commuters, students, and government employees. Among the deceased were women and two children, while several others are battling for their lives in hospitals.

Family members of the victims gathered outside hospitals in Hyderabad and Sangareddy, anxiously waiting for updates. The Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) has set up a helpline to assist families and provide information about passengers.

Doctors treating the injured described the situation as critical, with many suffering from multiple fractures, internal injuries, and head trauma. Blood donation drives were organised locally as hospitals appealed for urgent support.

Government Response

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and announced an ex-gratia of ₹5 lakh each to the families of those who lost their lives. In a statement, he said, “It is a day of grief for Telangana. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. I have directed officials to ensure the best possible medical care for the injured.”

Union Minister for Road Transport Nitin Gadkari also extended condolences, reiterating the need for stronger road safety measures. He said the government would look into revising overload and speed-monitoring mechanisms on national highways.

Political leaders across party lines, including K. T. Rama Rao, Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, and Bandi Sanjay Kumar, visited the accident victims in hospitals and urged the public to prioritise safety on highways.

The Highway That Turns Deadly

The Hyderabad–Bijapur highway is one of the busiest routes in the region, connecting Telangana with Karnataka. However, it has also become notorious for frequent accidents due to high-speed traffic, heavy vehicle movement, and poor road discipline.

Local residents and commuters say that despite repeated warnings, overloaded trucks and reckless driving continue to endanger lives. The latest tragedy has once again highlighted the urgent need for better traffic management, strict enforcement of speed limits, and improved road design.

Authorities are now planning to install speed cameras and additional signage along accident-prone stretches of the road.

Emotional Aftermath

At the mortuary in Sangareddy, scenes of grief unfolded as families identified their loved ones. Mothers clutched photographs, fathers stood in disbelief, and children wept inconsolably. Volunteers from NGOs and local organisations provided emotional and logistical support, helping arrange transport for the bodies back to their native villages.

Many residents of nearby areas organised candlelight vigils to pay tribute to the victims. Schools and colleges in the region observed a two-minute silence to honour the deceased.

Lessons and Reflections

This tragedy is a grim reminder of how fragile life can be on Indian roads. According to government data, India records over 1.5 lakh road accident deaths every year, with most caused by speeding, fatigue, and vehicle overloading. Experts have repeatedly stressed the need for stricter law enforcement, driver training, and public awareness campaigns.

For the families affected, no compensation can replace what they have lost. Yet, their pain stands as a collective lesson for society, a call to make our highways safer and to hold accountability for every preventable accident.

Conclusion

The collision between the tipper truck and the RTC bus in Telangana has left a deep scar on the hearts of many. It is a story of lives lost too soon, of families shattered in an instant, and of the urgent reforms needed in road safety.

As the state mourns its dead, the hope remains that such tragedies will push authorities and citizens alike to act with greater caution and responsibility. Every life saved on the road is a tribute to those lost in this heartbreaking accident.