A six-year-old girl, who had come to Tank Bund with her family to celebrate her birthday, was killed along with a relative after a speeding lorry hit them in the early hours of Sunday.

Domalguda police inspector Amjad Ali said that the deceased were identified as Sarakshi, 6, and Viswanath, alias Viswanth, 41, residents of Jonnabanda in Old Alwal. The accident occurred around 2.30 a.m.

The officer explained that Sarakshi was out with her parents and elder sister for her birthday celebrations. “They were accompanied by Viswanath, a colleague and relative of her father, along with his wife and two children,” said the officer.

The group had watched a film in Kukatpally before heading to Tank Bund, where they planned to cut a birthday cake near Hussainsagar.

“After parking their car, the family members began crossing the road towards Hussainsagar. Viswanath was carrying Sarakshi and had reached the middle of the road, where he stopped to allow vehicles to pass before crossing further,” added the officer.

A speeding lorry coming from the Secunderabad direction then hit Viswanath and the child.

Sarakshi was killed on the spot, while Viswanath sustained severe injuries. He was shifted to Gandhi Hospital, where he died while undergoing treatment.