23 hurt as ropeway bridge flips

Rajavommangi: About twenty three persons were injured when a ropeway bridge across Maderu rivulet in Kindra village of Rajavommangi mandal in East Godavari district flipped on Monday. Eleven persons, who sustained severe injuries, were admitted to the Kakinada District General Hospital for better treatment. The injured were said to be out of danger. The incident occurred when 30 villagers of Kindra were going on NREGS works at Gampa Nagaraju Cheruvu, which is adjacent to the village. When they were crossing the ropeway, the bridge suddenly overturned unable to bear their weight. Twenty-five persons fell into the rivulet 30 feet below, while others managed to hang onto the bridge. While Somula Rajulamma sustained severe back injuries, Chandaka Yerraiah, Pappula Chinnamma, Bandari Nagamani, Kochuri Achhiya- mma, Pappula Paramesamma, Kesireddi Narayanamma, Marri Venkayamma and Marri Rajabbai suffered severe injuries. The victims were treated at the local Primary Health Centre. They were later shifted to Kakinada. CI Venkateswarlu, MDO PV Satyanarayana, Jeddangi Sub-Inspector K Parthasarathi and Tribal Welfare EE Muralikrishna rushed to the spot.