Kurnool Bus Tragedy: Clincher CCTV Shows Biker Riding Recklessly Moments Before Accident | WATCH

Investigators probing the horrific Kurnool bus tragedy are now zeroing in on the two-wheeler that was a part of the collision. CCTV footage accessed by Times Now shows the bike, allegedly driven by an

inebriated rider, just minutes before it was abandoned on the highway, which is believed to have triggered the chain of events that led to the inferno.According to police, the incident occurred between 2:45 and 3 AM, when the private bus collided with a stationary motorcycle and dragged it for nearly 300 to 500 metres, sparking a massive fire that engulfed the vehicle within minutes and left 20 dead.Fresh details from the investigation reveal that the biker, identified as Shiv Shankar, and another youngster were caught on CCTV at a BPCL petrol pump, barely 3 kilometres from the crash site. The two were allegedly under the influence of alcohol and had refuelled their Pulsar motorcycle minutes before the accident.

Questions raised on why the bike was abandoned

Soon after, the bike was found abandoned in the middle of the highway, raising questions about whether it broke down, ran out of fuel, or was involved in a minor mishap. The petrol tank cap, police say, appeared improperly closed, adding another layer to the mystery.The bus, unable to avoid the obstacle, rammed into the two-wheeler and dragged it along the road, igniting sparks that set the vehicle ablaze. By the time firefighters and rural police reached the spot around 3:15 AM, the entire bus was engulfed in flames.

The biker's whereabouts remain unknown, and police are now trying to determine whether Shiv Shankar was injured, fled the scene, or was taken to hospital by passersby. A high-level inquiry committee has been formed to probe multiple angles, including the bus driver's role, the vehicle's safety lapses, and why the bike was left unattended.Most of the victims were charred beyond recognition, according to the police. The dead included two children, while nine others sustained injuries. The bus was carrying 44 passengers at the time of the accident.