A tragic accident, which broke out during the very early hours of Thursday, January 22, 2026, involved a bus driving a private conveyance on the National Highway next to Sirivellametta which collided with a container lorry during a lengthy fire that claimed the lives of three people and injured at least 14 other people.
How the Accident Unfolded
The accident happened in an unplanned accident where a private bus belonging to AR BCVR Travels was traveling from Nellore to Hyderabad with tyre bursting (at approximately 2:00 AM). The driver lost control of the vehicle, causing it to jump a vehicle’s median and plunge head-on into an adjacent container lorry.
The impact of speed collision was so great after two vehicles caught fire almost instantly; a few hours later the bus was engulfed with high flame inside which trapped drivers and cleaner. On the way in panicked passengers were unable to get to safety.
Casualties and Brave Rescue Acts
Police agencies say that three people the bus driver, lorry driver and the lorry cleaner were charred to death immediately. The victims were incinerated and had their charred bodies beyond recognition before emergency bodies could render them to the scene. On the other hand, a much bigger tragedy was averted by the heroic efforts of a local DCM (mini-van) driver who happened to pass by.
When he saw the fire, he stopped his car directly, breaking the windows of the bus with a heavy object. The initial intervention resulted in 36 passengers leaping out from the burned vehicle to safety. Many escaped with their lives, but several had burn injuries or fractured bones when they jumped out the windows.
Relief and Medical Support
All of those injured passengers were whisked by emergency response teams and 108 ambulances to the Nandyal Government General Hospital. Doctors say while some victims have sustained severe burn injuries, most are in stable condition.
Earlier this morning, SP Suneel Sheoran of Nandyal District visited the accident site for his observations. "A case has been registered, and we are investigating if there was a technical problem with the vehicle. The courage of the local driver who assisted the rescue is commendable,” he said.
Impact on Traffic
The blaze has made the fire burn so intense that it left both the bus and container lorry skeletons. The inferno destroyed passengers' luggage and personal effects in the inferno, leaving them completely crushed by flames. Traffic on the busy highway was diverted for many hours, as fire tenders battled fire damage through battle in trucks and cranes were involved in clearing the burned, blackened remains.
Roads and Buildings Minister BC Janardhan Reddy expressed his heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased, and guaranteed the state government would continue to provide the patients in hospital medical facilities in order for them to receive the best medical care.
