Daijiworld Media Network – Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh, Jan 21: At least 26 students sustained injuries after four private buses collided near Diwancheruvu in the early hours of Tuesday, police said.

The accident involved two travel buses and two buses carrying students who were returning from an excursion. According to Rajanagaram police in East Godavari district, the students — studying in Classes IX, X and Intermediate at a Model Government School and College in Gundlapalli near the Dindi project in Nalgonda district of Telangana — had gone on a tour to Araku, Paderu and nearby areas.

Around 80 students, accompanied by 10 teachers and staff, were travelling in two buses. After offering prayers at the Annavaram Sri Satyanarayana Swamy temple, the group was heading back towards Rajamahendravaram shortly after midnight.

Police said the mishap occurred when a buffalo suddenly crossed the road near Diwancheruvu, forcing the driver of a travel bus to apply sudden brakes. The two buses carrying the students and another travel bus following closely behind rammed into one another, resulting in the collision.

On receiving information, police rushed to the spot and shifted the injured students to the Government Hospital in Rajamahendravaram using three ambulances. The remaining students were moved to a nearby hall as a precautionary measure.

A case has been registered and further investigation into the incident is under way, police added.