The Second Driver of the Kurnool bus accident, initially hailed as a hero for rescuing passengers, is now under scrutiny after allegedly changing his statements during police questioning.
Qalam Times News Network | Kurnool (Andhra Pradesh) | October 25, 2025
Second Driver’s Role Turns From Heroic to Controversial
The Second Driver of the Bengaluru–Hyderabad sleeper bus that caught fire in Andhra Pradesh’s Kurnool district has become the focus of the investigation. The tragic crash and fire, which claimed 20 lives early Friday, has taken a complex turn as the man once praised for saving passengers now faces police suspicion.
The driver in question, Siva Narayana (30) of V-Kaveri Travels, was asleep when the bus collided with a motorcycle around 3 a.m. near Chinnatekur village. The impact ruptured the fuel tank, sparking a fire that engulfed the vehicle. The main driver, Lakshmaiah, was at the wheel at the time but fled the scene shortly after the crash.
According to initial accounts, the Second Driver broke open windows using a metal rod and helped several trapped passengers escape. Witnesses and survivors credited him for saving lives in those chaotic minutes before the flames consumed the bus.
Conflicting Statements Raise Questions
What began as a story of courage has now turned murky. Police have taken the Second Driver into custody and allege that his statements about the accident have shifted during questioning.
Initially, Siva told investigators that driver Lakshmaiah had woken him up after the collision, saying the bus had hit something. They later discovered a motorcycle wedged under the vehicle, which caused the fire. However, police claim that Siva later changed his version, saying the bike and its rider were already lying on the road due to a previous accident — and that the bus ran over them unknowingly.
Officials in both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have expressed doubts about his changing account. One investigating officer said, “Owners of private travel companies often tutor drivers to mislead investigations so that the company itself avoids liability.”
Eyewitnesses Recall Chaos and Courage
Survivor Subramaiam remembered being pulled from the burning bus by a “young man” before realizing he was one of the drivers. Siva himself told The Indian Express, “It was raining heavily, visibility was low. The bus hit a bike and dragged it, but the driver didn’t realize it at first. When I woke up, smoke had filled the bus, and the doors were jammed. I found a rod and broke the windows to help others out.”
Despite his reported heroism, the Second Driver’s credibility now hangs in balance as police continue to verify his testimony and investigate the role of the travel company.
Tragedy and Accountability
The Kurnool bus tragedy has reignited questions over road safety and the accountability of private transport operators. As investigations continue, authorities are also tracing the absconding driver Lakshmaiah, whose actions before and after the crash remain unclear.
