A pilgrimage to Bhadrachalam turned tragic for two families when two members died and 15 others were injured after the tractor-trolley in which they were travelling overturned at Sairam Tanda in Julurupadu mandal late on Friday night as the driver lost control while trying to avoid hitting a motorbike. All the 17 occupants of the tractor-trolley sustained injuries as the vehicle suddenly turned turtle.
One of them, identified as 29-year-old Shanti, died almost instantly. A middle-aged woman Lalamma succumbed to her injuries shortly after midnight. A months old baby, who was in her mother's lap, when the vehicle turned upside down, had a miraculous escape.
The remaining injured were rushed to various hospitals in Kothagudem on the intervening night of Friday-Saturday. Their condition was stated to be stable. The two victims and the injured hail from Himam Nagar in Enkoor mandal.
In a separate incident, a youth was killed on the spot after the tractor-trolley he was driving turned turtle at Musalimadugu in Burgampadu mandal on Saturday morning. The vehicle was carrying a heavy load of wooden logs when the accident occurred.