Kurnool: Andhra Pradesh police have confirmed that the two men on the motorcycle involved in the tragic bus fire near Chinna Tekuru village in Kurnool district — an accident that claimed 19 lives — were under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident.
The confirmation came on Sunday after forensic tests established that both Siva Shankar and Erri Swamy had consumed liquor before the collision.
“We just received forensic confirmation that the two bike-borne persons were drunk,” said Koya Praveen, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police for Kurnool Range. “While there were initial indications of intoxication, we waited for scientific evidence before making an official statement.”
Sequence of Events
According to the police investigation, the events leading to the disaster began in the early hours of October 24. The two men, residents of Lakshmipuram village, were travelling on a motorcycle toward Tuggali when they stopped at an HP petrol station around 2:24 a.m. to refuel.
Security footage from the station, which later went viral, showed Shankar riding recklessly after refueling. Within minutes, the bike reportedly skidded and crashed, throwing Shankar onto the road divider and killing him instantly.
Swamy, who survived, dragged his friend’s body from the road. As he attempted to move the damaged motorcycle to the side, a Bengaluru-bound sleeper bus carrying 44 passengers approached the same stretch of road and ran over the two-wheeler, dragging it several meters.
The friction caused the bike’s fuel tank to rupture and ignite, triggering a massive fire that quickly engulfed the bus. Though many passengers managed to escape, 19 people lost their lives in the inferno.
Aftermath and Investigation
In the chaos that followed, Swamy fled to his native village out of fear. He was later traced and questioned by police, providing crucial details about the moments before the accident.
“Swamy admitted to having consumed liquor earlier that night at a roadside dhaba,” said Kurnool Superintendent of Police Vikrant Patil. “Their reckless driving and intoxication directly contributed to the sequence of events that caused the tragedy.”
A Tragic Chain Reaction
Authorities say the crash was the result of two consecutive accidents — the initial motorcycle skid followed by the bus collision and fire. Investigators believe the rapid spread of flames left passengers trapped inside before emergency responders could arrive.
Officials have since urged motorists to avoid driving under the influence and emphasized the importance of better road illumination and early warning systems on highways to prevent similar disasters.
Victims and Community Impact
The horrific accident has left families across Andhra Pradesh and neighboring Karnataka mourning their loved ones. Survivors described scenes of panic as smoke and flames filled the bus within seconds.
The state government has announced compensation for victims’ families and continues to coordinate relief efforts.
