Drunk riders, dividing line, and deadly fire: How a skidding bike triggered Andhra's bus tragedy

Andhra Pradesh police have confirmed that the two men on the motorcycle involved in the Bengaluru-bound bus fire were drunk at the time of the accident, which killed 19 passengers. The tragic incident occurred in the early hours of October 24 at Chinna Tekuru village in Kurnool district.

According to Kurnool Range Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Koya Praveen, forensic tests confirmed that the riders, identified as Siva Shankar and Erri Swamy, were in an inebriated condition. “We just received the forensic confirmation that the two bike-borne persons were drunk,” the DIG said.

Police had earlier suspected alcohol involvement but awaited official confirmation before making it public.

How the accident unfolded

Investigations reveal that Shankar and Swamy began their journey from Lakshmipuram village around 2 a.m. to drop Swamy at Tuggali village in Kurnool district. They stopped at an HP petrol bunk near the Kia car showroom at 2.24 a.m. to refuel. CCTV footage from the petrol station, which later went viral, showed Shankar riding rashly.

Soon after resuming their journey, the two-wheeler skidded on the wet road—slippery after days of heavy rainfall—and rammed into a divider, killing Shankar on the spot. Swamy sustained minor injuries.

As Swamy tried to pull Shankar to the roadside and move the motorcycle lying in the middle of the road, a Bengaluru-bound private sleeper bus with 44 passengers approached at speed and ran over the bike, dragging it for several metres.

How the bus caught fire

According to Kurnool Superintendent of Police Vikrant Patil, the motorcycle’s fuel tank burst due to friction as it was dragged under the bus, triggering a massive blaze that quickly engulfed the vehicle.

Out of 44 passengers, 19—including two children—were charred to death, while 27 others, including both drivers, managed to escape by breaking the bus’s glass windows.

Survivor’s panic and police probe

Following the double accident, Swamy panicked and fled to his native village, Tuggali. He was later traced and questioned by police. His statement corroborated the bus driver’s account that the motorcycle was already lying on the road before the bus hit it.

DIG Praveen confirmed that Shankar had earlier admitted to consuming liquor at a roadside dhaba before the crash. The bus driver, who failed to notice the motorcycle in the darkness, now faces charges of negligent driving. 

The police investigation continues to determine if overspeeding contributed to one of the deadliest road tragedies in Andhra Pradesh in recent years.