Vijayawada: At least 150 sheep were killed, and another 40 injured along with the shepherd on Sunday after a private bus veered onto them on the Addanki-Narketpally NH under Dachepalli police station in Palnadu district.
The injured shepherd, Avula Mallesh, from Mahabubnagar district, was shifted to a hospital for treatment.
According to police, the travel bus belonging to Maruti Travels, was heading towards Inkollu from Hyderabad when it hit the sheep flock comprising 409 sheep, out of which around 150 died on the spot.
“The incident took place around 6 am on Sunday near Alankar Theatre in Dachepalli town. Although the department is yet to ascertain the exact cause of the accident, overspeeding or the driver falling asleep is said to be reasons for the accident,” a police officer said.
Energy minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar expressed distress over the loss of 150 sheep. He enquired about the details from Palnadu collector and SP.
Ravi Kumar directed the district administration to hold a meeting with private travel agencies and drivers and provide necessary counseling to them to avoid accidents. He asked officials to take appropriate measures to curb road accidents due to foggy weather.
Meanwhile, Palnadu SP Kanchi Srinivasa Rao visited the accident spot and assured that legal action would be initiated against the bus driver and the management responsible for the accident.
