Five family members die in head-on crash near Kotekal, Kurnool
Five family members die in head-on crash near Kotekal, Kurnool
A fog-bound crash on NH-167 in Kurnool district kills five family members and injures two others, prompting calls for stricter road safety measures.
In the early hours of Saturday, a fog-bound NH-167 stretch near Kotekal village in Kurnool district turned tragic as two cars collided head-on. One vehicle was en route from Yemmiganur to Bengaluru, while the other was travelling from Adoni. The collision occurred around 4:30 am, with devastating consequences. All five members of a single family died on the spot: Venkatesham (76), his daughter Meenakshi (32), son-in-law Satish (34), and grandchildren Ritwik (4) and Bunnith (5). Venkatesham’s wife Gangamma and the driver of the other car, Suresh, were injured, with Suresh reported to be in critical condition. A case has been registered and medical teams were rushed to the scene to treat the injured.
Preliminary investigations point to heavy early-morning fog, poor visibility, and a sharp curve on the ghat road as key factors that may have driven the collision at high speed. Investigators note that both vehicles rammed into each other with little time to react, underscoring the dangers of driving on winding mountain routes in the dark.
Following the tragedy, the Chief Minister expressed grief and pledged support for the affected families, while the Transport Minister called for stricter enforcement of road-safety norms and urged travelers to exercise caution. District authorities were directed to intensify rescue operations and ensure immediate medical care for the injured.
Travelers are reminded that fog can drastically reduce visibility on winding roads; officials are urging motorists to slow down, use headlights, and remain vigilant on NH-167. The community continues to mourn as authorities review safety measures along the route.
Cover image source: Five of family die as two cars collide in Andhra Pradesh 🔗
