Date:30/12/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/12/30/stories/2007123050210100.htm

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13 killed in road accident

Staff Reporter

MARRIPADU (Nellore District): In a tragic accident, 13 persons, including four women and nine children, were killed and nine others injured when a Tempo Tracks in which they were travelling hit a stationary lorry here on Saturday morning.

According to Superintendent of Police B. Malla Reddy, the ill-fated vehicle, carrying a 22-member marriage party, was on its way from Nandyal of Kurnool district to Buchireddypalem of Nellore district to attend a marriage function.

The deceased have been identified as Dargah Mohammadabi (55), Dargah Sayyad Shahanaajmi (14), Dargah Sayyad Jameela (70), Dargah Sayyad Jeenath (14), Dargah Sayyad Subhan (12), Dargah Sayyad Jamal (5), Dargah Sayyad Ali (12), Dargah Sayyad Basha Fakruddin (8), Dargah Sarajjaha (26), Dargah Asya (9 months), Dargah Sushma (6), Dargah Sayyad Sirajan (41) and Dargah Sayyad Rehana (12).

The condition of the injured persons is stable and they are out of danger, according to hospital sources.

The driver, who was unhurt in the accident, claimed that he could not notice the stationary vehicle due to the fog, which was extremely thick.

“The accident may not have occurred had he driven the vehicle within the speed limits,” one of injured persons Sheik Mohammad Basha alleged.

A case has been registered and the investigation is going on.

Meanwhile, the local police suspect that the driver of the ill-fated vehicle might be under-aged.