Date:22/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/22/stories/2008072259680600.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Six killed as van overturns

Staff Reporter

SRIKAKULAM: Six persons were killed and 42 injured when an overcrowded van overturned at Peddapeta village in Burja mandal in the district on Monday.

According to police and local sources, a large group of tribals was travelling in the van from three villages in Kotisa panchayat in Seethampeta mandal to Vennulavalasa village in Saribujjili mandal for undertaking podu cultivation. As the vehicle approached Peddapeta, its front wheel got punctured.

As the driver was said to be travelling at a high speed, the van overturned resulting in the death of three persons on the spot. The 42 injured were rushed to the nearby Palakonda hospital where two more persons succumbed to injuries. Of the 22 persons shifted to Srikakulam Government Hospital, one more succumbed to injuries. Later, three persons who were critical were shifted to the King George Hospital in Visakhapatnam. Superintendent of Police Srikanth, the district in-charge Minister S.Vijayarama Raju and Collector N. Srikant rushed to the spot.