Speeding Truck Kills 3 Elephants on Bengaluru-Chittoor Highway

TIRUPATI: Three elephants died after a speeding truck on Bengaluru-Chittoor highway fatally knocked them down at Jagamarla cross near Palamaner in Chittoor district late on Wednesday night.

According to Chittoor divisional forest officer (DFO) Chaitanya Kumar Reddy, the lorry struck the herd of four elephants while they were crossing the highway. The vehicle was being driven at a high speed, and authorities suspect that the driver may have been under the influence at the time of the accident. The driver fled the scene of the accident.

The herd comprised four elephants, including one female adult, two male sub-adults, and a female cub. Only, a male sub-adult elephant was able to escape the mishap, while the other three succumbed to their injuries.

Upon receiving the information, forest officials rushed to the spot and carried out necessary procedures, including moving the carcasses off the highway. Efforts are now underway to locate the driver, while the lorry remains in the custody of the forest department. The DFO said that Standard operating procedures (SOPs) are being followed to ensure a thorough investigation.