Daijiworld Media Network - Amaravati
Amaravati, Mar 15: In a tragic incident in Punganur town of Annamayya district, Andhra Pradesh, four members of a family died after allegedly inhaling smoke from a motorcycle that had been left running throughout the night, police said on Sunday.
The incident took place during the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday at a house on Tyagaraja Street. The victims were reportedly asleep inside the house when the fatal incident occurred.
Police identified the deceased as 70-year-old Ramachandraiah, his grandson Karthik (15), and his twin granddaughters Charita and Chandana, both aged eight.
According to preliminary information, Murali, who runs a hair salon in the town, had taken his motorcycle to a mechanic for servicing on Saturday. The mechanic reportedly replaced the bore piston due to an engine issue and advised Murali to keep the engine running overnight.
Following the advice, Murali left the motorcycle switched on inside the house with the doors and windows closed. While Murali and his wife Revati slept on the terrace, Murali’s father Ramachandraiah and the three children slept inside the house.
Police said the smoke emitted by the motorcycle gradually filled the closed house during the night. The occupants inside are believed to have died due to asphyxiation after inhaling carbon monoxide fumes.
The four were found dead the following morning. Murali and Revati survived as they were sleeping on the terrace and were not exposed to the smoke.
Police shifted the bodies to a nearby hospital for post-mortem examination. Preliminary findings indicate that the deaths were caused by carbon monoxide poisoning.
The incident has left residents of the town in shock. Police have registered a case and initiated further investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident in Visakhapatnam, two people lost their lives in a road accident on Sunday.
Police said the accident occurred at BHPV Junction when a truck rammed into vehicles that had stopped at the intersection. Two persons died on the spot.
One of the victims, Ramakrishna, was reportedly travelling with his daughter to the Simhachalam Temple when the accident occurred. The second deceased was identified as Santoshi.
The crash also damaged a car and two two-wheelers. Police have arrested the truck driver and launched an investigation into the incident.