8 killed, 21 injured as bus plunges into gorge in Sarkaghat
In a tragic road accident, an HRTC bus going from Sarkaghat to Durgapur plunged around 20 metres to 25 metres into a gorge near Tarangla, close to Maseran, this morning, killing eight persons and injuring 21 others.
According to Mandi SP Sakshi Verma, the accident took place under the jurisdiction of Sarkaghat police station. Among those who lost their lives were four men and four women. Five of the victims were declared dead at the Civil Hospital, Sarkaghat, two succumbed to their injuries at Government Medical College (GMC), Nerchowk, and one died during treatment at AIIMS- Bilaspur.
The deceased were identified as Geeta Devi (65) and Dolma Devi (70), both of Rased village, Barfi Devi (80) of Bhalyana, Balvir Singh (60) of Pati, Antariksh (17) of Thurad, Klashi Devi (60) of Tarangla and Suman (33) and Prakash, both natives of Maseran under Sarkaghat subdivision in Mandi.
“The ill-fated bus was carrying 29 individuals, including the driver and conductor. Rescue teams, local police and emergency service personnel rushed to the scene immediately after the accident. Eyewitnesses said the bus suddenly veered off the narrow road and tumbled down a steep incline, coming to rest nearly 25 metres below,” the SP said.
“Police personnel and locals helped extricate the injured passengers from the wreckage of the bus. Four persons with minor to moderate injuries were admitted to the Civil Hospital, Sarkaghat, while 17 others, who suffered more serious injuries, were referred to higher medical centres, including Government Medical College Nerchowk, AIIMS-Bilaspur, and Medical College, Hamirpur, for specialised treatment,” the SP said.
She confirmed that an investigation was underway to determine the cause of the accident.
The families of the deceased and the injured are being provided assistance by the administration. Additional District Magistrate, Mandi, Madan Kumar stated that the families of the deceased were given Rs 25,000 each as immediate relief, while for those injured, the administration has provided Rs 5,000 each. The HRTC has also given Rs 3,000 to each injured person.
The district authorities have promised all necessary medical support for those undergoing treatment.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has expressed grief over the deaths. He has directed the district administration, Mandi, to provide ex-gratia grant to the next of kin of the deceased and the best treatment to the injured.
Himachal Tribune