Would-be mother hit by speeding auto, baby lost

A woman in the ninth month of her pregnancy and her brother-inlaw sustained severe injuries when a speeding autorickshaw driven by an allegedly drunk driver hit them at Hayathnagar on Saturday night. They were crossing the road when the accident happened. The woman Vemula Venkataramana remained critical while doctors declared the baby in the womb dead and aborted the foetus. A hunt is on for the driver who was suspected to be under the influence of alcohol.

Vemula Veerabhadram from Khammam district, a daily wage earner, is a resident of Hayathnagar. On Saturday evening, his wife Venkataramana complained of pain. He took her to the Government hospital in Hayathnagar, but there were no doctors available. The woman was rushed her to the Government Maternity Shambu noticed the speeding autorickshaw coming towards us and pushed me. I and my son escaped but my wife was hit — Labourer hospital in Koti in a 108 ambulance

“Doctors there said that the pains were not related to labour but were chest pain. They told us to visit another hospital, as they do not treat chest-related problems.” Veerebhadram said.

She was brought to a hospital near Hayathnagar police station. After the consultations, Veerabhadram, his wife and his younger brother Shambu were crossing the road with their 18 month old child Eswar.

“Shambu noticed the speeding autorickshaw coming towards us and pushed me. I and my son escaped, but it ran over my wife and dragged her for about ten metres. Shambu was injured in his leg. The driver was under the effect of alcohol.” he said.

The injured were rushed to Osmania Hospital where doctors treated Venkataramana and aborted the dead foetus. The woman was operated on and is currently under observation.

Police registered a case for accidental death.

“Auto driver Subash fled from the spot. We have seized the vehicle. The accident occurred due to rash driving. Only after he is caught, we can say if he was drunk.” Hayathnagar SI Prabhakar said.