A horrific early morning collision between a passenger bus and a container truck near Shirivellametta village claimed three lives after both vehicles burst into flames on January 22, 2026. The accident occurred around 1:30 a.m. on the busy Hyderabad-Bengaluru highway (NH44), leaving locals and survivors reeling from the sudden tragedy.

Officials report the private bus, carrying 36 passengers from Nellore to Hyderabad, suffered a catastrophic tyre burst on its right side. The driver lost control, crossed the median, and collided head-on with an oncoming truck loaded with motorcycles. Flames erupted instantly, engulfing both vehicles and charring the bus driver, truck driver, and truck cleaner beyond recognition. Remarkably, all passengers escaped unharmed thanks to swift intervention by the bus crew and a heroic passerby.

Eyewitnesses described chaos as fire spread rapidly, fueled by the truck's cargo. Four passengers sustained fractures, and eight others minor burns; they were rushed to Nandyal Government Hospital for treatment. Police have registered a case, with preliminary probes pointing to speeding and possible tyre wear as key factors.

A DCM truck driver nearby spotted the blaze first, stopped his vehicle, and smashed bus windows to free trapped passengers. The bus conductor and cleaner also risked their lives, pulling people out amid thick smoke. "Only a few were awake; we broke every window we could," recounted one survivor, highlighting how such quick thinking averted a higher death toll. This incident echoes frequent fire-prone crashes on NH44, where mechanical failures turn minor mishaps deadly. Andhra Pradesh authorities urge stricter vehicle checks amid rising highway fatalities.