District Collector Saurabh Gaur and three others escaped with minor injuries in a road accident near Sanapalavanipeta, on the outskirts of the district headquarters on Wednesday afternoon.
It was a providential escape for them as their car was almost smashed after a tractor, carrying sand, rammed it on the National Highway.
Mr. Gaur, camp clerk G.A. Suryanarayana, driver P. Nageswara Rao and attender K. Ramarao were rushed to the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences here (RGIMS).
The doctors said all the injured persons were out of danger, but treatment was required for the minor injuries they sustained for a couple of days.
The tractor driver, S. Prasad, whose negligent driving led to the accident, was also admitted to Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences.
Officials said that the Collector who took charge recently, inspected the Rajiv Swagruha Project in Etcherla and left for Seethampet for a meeting at the Integrated Tribal Development Agency office. Unlike the usual routine, Mr. Gaur, who used to sit in the front seat, was travelling in the middle seat.
The driver could not see the tractor that suddenly veered towards Sanapalavanipeta to advance on the Kintali route. DSP (Srikakulam) P.L. Arjun said the tractor driver was likely to be arrested after being discharged.