Two Hyderabad Students from India Die in UK Car Crash, Essex Investigation Open

(ESSEX) Two Indian students from Hyderabad, identified as Chaitanya Tarre (23) and Rishiteja Rapolu (21), died after a late-night car crash in Essex on Monday, September 1, 2025. Seven other students were involved; five sustained serious injuries, and two remain in critical condition. Essex Police confirmed both drivers—also students—were arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

The group, all recent arrivals from Hyderabad studying in London, was returning from Ganesh Nimmajanam celebrations when the collision occurred on the A130 Dual Carriageway near the Rayleigh Spur roundabout.

Incident details and casualties

• Police said Chaitanya died at the scene, while Rishiteja passed away at the Royal London Hospital after being airlifted for emergency treatment.
• Families of the deceased have appealed to Indian central and Telangana state authorities for help to repatriate the bodies for last rites.
• Friends and community leaders in Essex and London described a tight-knit circle of students who had moved to the UK within the past year and often traveled together for cultural events.

All nine students involved are from Hyderabad and nearby regions. The injured include:
– Sai Goutham Ravulla (30) — currently on a ventilator
– Nuthan Thatikayala — reported with partial paralysis
– Yuva Teja Reddy Gurram, Vamshi Golla, and Venkata Sumanth Pentyala — receiving hospital care
– Two survivors were airlifted due to the severity of their injuries

The drivers, Gopichand Batamekala and Manohar Sabbani, are in police custody. Detectives are building a timeline from eyewitness accounts, vehicle data, and roadside cameras. The investigation is ongoing and formal charges are expected in the coming weeks.

Investigation and consular response

Essex Police have opened a formal inquiry focused on:
– Speed
– Driver conduct
– Road conditions along the A130 near the Rayleigh Spur roundabout

Officers secured both vehicles at the scene and began forensic analysis. The probe will examine whether dangerous driving or additional offences contributed to the crash, which has shaken the Indian student communities in Essex and London.

The Royal London Hospital is coordinating critical care for the most seriously injured. Hospital staff and local police have been in contact with next of kin, and community representatives are helping with language, cultural needs, and cross-time-zone communication.

Indian diplomatic officials in London typically coordinate with UK authorities, funeral homes, and airlines to manage repatriation. This process includes:
– Documentation and medical certificates
– Embalming and transport arrangements
– Liaison on costs and paperwork

Families often seek help from India’s Ministry of External Affairs and state-level NRI departments in Telangana. In previous cases, diaspora groups and student associations have raised funds to cover emergency medical bills and repatriation when insurance was limited or did not apply.

Community and student organisations in London are preparing immediate assistance lists, including:
– Hospital bedside support and grief counseling
– Temporary housing for survivors after discharge
– Translation help for parents flying in from Hyderabad
– Centralised hospital updates to reduce misinformation

Important logistical advice for relatives:
– Keep copies of passports and relationship proof
– Maintain contact details for the investigating officer to speed identity checks and next steps
– Be prepared for visa requirements and possible delays when arranging travel

Families in Hyderabad have made repatriation their most immediate concern. Indian consular officials generally coordinate with the UK coroner, who must release the bodies before transport can begin. Airlines have specific rules for human remains, and bookings can be affected by weekends, public holidays, and airport capacity.

Support for students, welfare and policy context

The tragedy has prompted calls for stronger road safety awareness among international students. Key legal and practical points highlighted by advisers and community leaders:

• UK traffic rules can differ significantly from those in India, including:
  • Strict drink-driving laws
  • Seatbelt rules for every passenger
  • Insurance standards often tied to the named driver and the specific vehicle
  • Limits on motorway driving for new drivers (where applicable)

Student groups are urging universities to include practical safety briefings during induction weeks, covering:
1. Emergency numbers and how to report a crash
2. What information to collect at the scene (photos, witness names, vehicle details)
3. How to contact university welfare and the consulate

Universities are moving to offer trauma counseling and peer support. Mental health professionals recommend early outreach to those who witnessed the crash or lost friends, because grief and shock can intensify when students are far from family. Practical early steps for classmates and survivors:
– Check in daily with affected students
– Arrange rides to medical appointments
– Share updates responsibly to avoid misinformation

This case also highlights how immigration rules affect students after emergencies. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, recent and proposed changes have increased stress and costs for many Indian students, including:
– Tighter English language requirements
– Proposed reduction of the Graduate Route post-study work period to 18 months
– Higher proof-of-funds thresholds

Practical immigration advice:
– Keep contact details current with UK Visas and Immigration
– Use digital status tools as physical BRP cards transition to eVisas
– Guidance on digital status is available from the UK government: View and prove your immigration status

Community leaders from Hyderabad-based alumni networks recommend safety practices for new arrivals:
– Travel in groups with designated drivers who hold valid UK insurance
– Rotate late-night driving to reduce fatigue
– Avoid high-speed roads after long events
– Build a “safety file” with emergency contacts, NHS numbers, insurance details, and university welfare office info — kept on phones and shared among trusted friends

Practical issues around repatriation and long-term support

For families in Hyderabad, repatriation procedures typically require coordination between:
– Indian consular officials
– The UK coroner (body release)
– Airlines (rules for human remains)

States such as Telangana have previously offered emergency funding or logistical support. Community fundraisers often help quickly, but organisers advise using registered charities or university channels for transparency and faster reimbursement.

Ongoing support and services being mobilised:
– Diaspora groups in Essex will continue visiting the injured at the Royal London Hospital and nearby facilities
– University welfare teams are preparing to connect survivors with disability services if long-term rehabilitation is needed (including physiotherapy and support for partial paralysis)
– Legal clinics are advising witnesses on how to provide statements and keep travel plans flexible while the Essex Police investigation proceeds

As the case progresses, Indian and UK authorities are likely to review emergency response protocols for international students, including:
– Speed and clarity of family notifications
– Quality and timeliness of translation services
– How medical and legal processes are explained to families abroad

Student leaders are pushing for clearer guidance on driving in the UK, covering:
– Insurance basics and passenger rules
– Safe travel planning after late-night festivals

In Essex and London, the immediate focus remains on:
– Caring for the survivors
– Supporting grieving families in Hyderabad
– Allowing police time to assemble the facts of a crash that ended two promising lives and left a community in shock