Two auto drivers killed by GHMC tipper lorry at Meerpet crossroads

Two auto-rickshaw drivers were killed and another was injured after a speeding Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) tipper lorry rammed into them at Mandamallamma crossroads in Meerpet, Hyderabad, early Sunday morning. The victims were standing on the roadside of the Sagar Highway discussing how to tow a broken-down vehicle when the collision occurred.

The deceased have been identified as Sabavath Santosh, 35, of the Nandavanam area, and Sabavath Sunil, 35, from Adityanagar in Gurramguda. The injured victim, Sabavath Prasad, 26, who is a relative of Sunil, is currently undergoing treatment.

According to the Meerpet police, the incident occurred around 2 a.m. Sunil had parked his auto-rickshaw on the roadside of the Sagar Highway near Mandamallamma crossroads after his vehicle broke down. He called Prasad to the location to assist him in towing the broken-down auto-rickshaw.

While they were at the spot, Santosh, another auto-rickshaw driver from the Nandavanam area, learned that Prasad was there and decided to join them to meet up.

Meerpet Inspector Shobhan said that the three men were standing on the roadside discussing their plan to tow the vehicle when a GHMC tipper lorry, traveling at a high speed, rammed directly into them.

The impact of the crash killed Santosh on the spot due to severe injuries. Sunil was also critically injured and was rushed to a private hospital in Hasthinapuram in a 108 ambulance. However, he succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment. Prasad survived the crash and is receiving medical care.

The police identified the driver of the GHMC tipper lorry as 38-year-old Javala Suresh. Following the incident, the Meerpet police registered a case against Suresh and took him into custody.