Three farm workers killed, 20 injured after RTC bus rams goods carrier

Three farm labourers were killed and 20 others injured after an RTC bus rammed into the goods carrier they were travelling in near Anupuram village in Rajanna Sircilla district on Thursday evening. The Vemulawada Town police arrested the bus driver on charges of negligent driving.

The deceased were identified as S. Vasudev, 35, Ranju, 48, and Archana, 37, all natives of Maharashtra, who were working as agricultural labourers.

According to Vemulawada Town Police Inspector Veera Prasad, the accident was reported at around 5.30 p.m. when 23 labourers were returning to their sheds towards Karimnagar after completing work in Thangallapalli village.

The official said the RTC bus struck the rear of the goods carrier while attempting to overtake it. The impact caused the goods carrier to overturn, throwing all 23 occupants onto the road.

Vasudev died on the spot, while Ranju and Archana, who sustained critical injuries, were shifted to hospital, where they succumbed to their injuries on Friday morning.

The remaining 20 labourers sustained minor injuries and were provided first aid.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the left side of the RTC bus hit the goods carrier during the overtaking manoeuvre, causing it to overturn. Police said the accident was the result of rash and negligent driving.

The bus driver, identified as N. Naran, 30, has been arrested, and a case has been registered. Further investigation is under way.