New details have emerged about the devastating bus fire in Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh, which killed 20 people on Friday. Police investigations have now traced the origin of the tragedy to a two-wheeler accident that occurred moments before the bus caught fire.

According to officials, the fatal chain of events began when a motorcycle skidded on the rain-soaked road and crashed into a divider. The rider, Siva Shankar, died on the spot, while his friend and pillion rider, Erri Swamy, escaped with minor injuries. Moments later, a private sleeper bus ran over the fallen two-wheeler, dragging it for several metres and triggering a massive fire that engulfed the bus, leaving at least 19 passengers and the bike rider dead.

The horrific incident, which took place near Chinna Tekuru village in Kurnool district in the early hours of Friday, has shocked the state. Authorities say the tragedy was not a single accident but a sequence of two closely linked mishaps — first the bike crash, then the bus fire.

The Chain of Events

Kurnool Superintendent of Police Vikrant Patil on Saturday shared a detailed reconstruction of the incident, based on eyewitness accounts, CCTV footage, and the statement of survivor Erri Swamy.

Both Shankar and Swamy were residents of Lakshmipuram village. Around 2 a.m. on Friday, they set out on a motorcycle toward Tuggali village, where Swamy was to be dropped off. CCTV footage later confirmed that the two stopped at an HP petrol pump near the Kia car showroom at around 2:24 a.m. to refuel their bike.

After leaving the petrol station, they continued their journey through Chinna Tekuru. However, the stretch of road they were travelling on was reportedly wet and muddy due to recent rainfall, making the surface slippery.

“While approaching Chinna Tekuru village, the two-wheeler skidded, and Siva Shankar fell to his right, hitting the divider,” said SP Patil. “The impact was severe, and he died on the spot. Swamy was thrown off but survived with minor injuries.”

A Desperate Attempt to Help

Swamy, still in shock, tried to pull his friend’s body off the road. “When he checked for Shankar’s breathing, he realised his friend was no longer alive,” Patil said. Swamy then attempted to move the damaged motorcycle away from the middle of the road to prevent further danger.

Tragically, before he could do so, a private sleeper bus came speeding down the highway. The bus, carrying about 40 passengers, ran over the motorcycle and dragged it for a distance, causing sparks and igniting a fire.

The Fire That Turned Deadly

The collision between the bus and the motorcycle caused a fuel leak, which quickly caught fire, possibly from the friction between the metal parts. Within seconds, the flames spread to the bus’s undercarriage and then into the passenger cabin.

The passengers, many of whom were asleep, were trapped as the fire engulfed the vehicle. Despite the driver and a few others attempting to break windows and rescue people, the flames spread too quickly. By the time emergency responders reached the scene, the fire had consumed the entire bus.

“Nineteen of the 40 passengers travelling in the private bus were killed in the fire accident,” said the police. Many others sustained severe burn injuries and were rushed to hospitals in Kurnool and nearby areas.

Two Accidents, One Tragedy

Police have confirmed that the Kurnool bus fire was not a standalone event, but a tragic chain reaction initiated by the earlier motorcycle crash. “This was a case of two accidents happening in quick succession,” SP Patil said. “First, the two-wheeler skidded and crashed, leading to the death of the rider. Moments later, the bus ran over the fallen bike, triggering the fire that killed 19 passengers.”

Investigators are now analyzing CCTV footage from the petrol pump and nearby locations to verify the timeline and exact positions of the vehicles. Preliminary findings suggest that the bike had fallen in the middle of the lane, and due to poor visibility and possibly high speed, the bus driver did not notice it in time.

Survivors’ Accounts and Police Findings

The statement of Erri Swamy has been crucial in piecing together the sequence of events. “Swamy’s account helped us understand how the accident unfolded,” said SP Patil. “He was the only person who saw both incidents happen one after another.”

According to the police, Swamy told them that after the fall, he could barely move but still tried to alert oncoming traffic. Unfortunately, the bus came too fast to stop. Swamy’s quick reaction to pull his friend from the middle of the road may have saved him from being hit himself.

Authorities also suspect that slippery road conditions due to overnight rainfall were a major factor in the bike losing control. Investigators are examining whether the motorcycle’s tyres were worn out or underinflated, which could have worsened traction on the wet surface.

Aftermath and Ongoing Probe

The incident has raised questions about road safety, night driving, and speed management on highways in Andhra Pradesh. Officials from the Road Transport Department have joined the investigation to assess whether poor lighting or inadequate signage contributed to the tragedy.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed deep sorrow over the incident and ordered an immediate inquiry. He announced financial assistance for the victims’ families and instructed district officials to ensure the best medical care for the injured.

Teams from the Fire and Disaster Response Department and Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) have also been deployed to examine the remains of the bus and determine how the fire spread so rapidly. Preliminary reports suggest that the bus’s fuel tank and wiring system were completely destroyed, complicating identification efforts.

A Stark Reminder of Road Perils

The Kurnool tragedy serves as a grim reminder of how small lapses in road conditions or driving caution can lead to catastrophic consequences. A simple skid on a slippery road — a common accident during the monsoon — spiralled into a disaster that claimed 20 lives within minutes.

Police have urged motorists to avoid high speeds, especially on poorly lit or wet roads, and to ensure vehicles are properly maintained. “This incident shows how quickly things can go wrong,” said SP Patil. “If not for the slippery surface and low visibility, both accidents could have been avoided.”

As investigators continue to reconstruct the events leading to the inferno, families of the victims are still grappling with the shock of how an ordinary journey turned into one of Andhra Pradesh’s worst road tragedies in recent years.

What began as a late-night ride between two friends ended in unimaginable loss — a skidding bike, a burning bus, and twenty lives cut short on a rain-drenched highway.