Khammam, Friday 20 November 2009: A tanker containing acid and a lorry loaded with electric transformers went up in flames after a head-on collision on Munneru river bridge on Khammam bypass road today.

There was a heart-rending scene of the tanker driver crying for help as he was trapped in his seat in the cabin while the rear portion of the vehicle appeared like an inferno. He was ultimately rescued by police and others but he succumbed to his burns soon after he was admitted to a local hospital with injuries.

While the lorry carrying about 20 power transformers was going from Hyderabad to Visakhapatnam, the acid tanker was bound for Warangal. As the vehicles caught fire after the collision, the transformers began to explode one after the other. Fire-fighters made all-out efforts to put out the blaze.

Police attributed the accident to negligence of both the drivers. The identity of the tanker driver was yet to be established as the vehicle as well as the documents inside it were completely burnt. District Collector V. Usharani also visited the spot.
(Agency)