Four policemen, who were chasing a fleeing thief in their jeep in a typical filmy style, were killed when their jeep collided with an oil tanker in Nellore district in the early hours of Wednesday.
The thief also died in the accident, while another constable is battling for life in the hospital. According to the local police, the police were chasing a notorious thief Vasantha Rao, who along with his 10-member gang waylaid two trucks and an auto near Singarayakonda late on Tuesday and robbed the inmates of their money and valuables.
On seeing the police, Vasantha Rao fled the spot on a bike and the police chased them. The chase continued for some time and suddenly, the thief who was driving the bike at high speed hit a stationary oil tanker on the road and died on the spot. The police jeep, following the thief, too, lost its control and collided with the tanker, resulting in the instant death of Krishna Rao, constable Balaiah and home guard Devaiah died on the spot. Another constable Venkateswara Reddy, died at Kavali area hospital in the afternoon.
