Migrants ride home, baby dies in mishap

A desperate bid by a migrant couple - who were out of work because of the

Covid-19 lockdown — to go back to their home in West Godavari district, ended in tragedy when their 10month-old baby girl died after the moped the family set out on for the long journey home, met with an accident at Choutuppal on Thursday night.

The child was killed on the spot while the mother received multiple injuries and is reported to be serious.

The father, who was taking his family home was injured but was out of danger, according to the police.

According to Choutuppal police, the couple, Kadali Peddiraju and Lakshmi, from Metlavarithota village in Ramavaram mandal in West Godavari district had come to the city a couple of years ago.

The migrants who lost their child in a road mishap, sold soda on a pushcart for a living, and about 10 months ago, Lakshmi had delivered a girl, who was named Yajnasri.

Over the past two months with the Covid19 lockdown in place, the couple lost their livelihood and finally decided to go back to their village in Andhra Pradesh. They set out on the 400km journey on a TVS-XL moped on Thursday evening. But when the family reached Borollagudem village in Choutuppal mandal of Yadadri Bhongir district, Peddiraju lost control of the two-wheeler resulting in the vehicle slamming into a cement bollard on the left side of the road, the police said.

Inspector P. Venkateshwarlu of the Choutuppal police said: “The moped hit the bollard when Peddiraju lost control. The girl's head came into contact with the bollard before she fell to the ground while her parents fell on the road. The girl died on the spot. Her mother received multiple injuries including some to her head, and Peddiraju received mild injuries.”

“Due to the lockdown, they did not have money, and wanted to go back to their village.”

A case has been registered by the police for investigation.