A passenger bus accident in Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district on Tuesday morning claimed one life and left over 20 people injured after the vehicle plunged into a 200-feet-deep gorge in the Kalkhar area.
Bus falls into gorge while en route to Mandi
The bus, travelling from Baldwara to Mandi, met with the accident around 9:00 AM.
Eyewitnesses reported that the driver lost control of the vehicle, possibly due to slippery road conditions caused by persistent rain.
As a result, the overloaded bus veered off the road and plunged into a steep gorge.
The impact killed one person on the spot, reportedly after the bus overturned and crushed the victim beneath it.
Police and rescue teams rushed to the scene shortly after locals alerted authorities.
Despite the difficult terrain and bad weather, rescue workers and residents pulled the injured from the wreckage.
Rescuers transported those with serious injuries to Nerchowk Medical College, while others received treatment at the Community Health Centre in Rewalsar.
A crane was deployed to lift the bus and free the trapped driver, who also suffered injuries in the crash.
Overloading, driver negligence suspected
Authorities suspect overloading and driver negligence as possible causes of the accident.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the bus was carrying more passengers than permitted, despite the slippery and rain-soaked road conditions and the area’s rocky terrain.
Ongoing rainfall in the region delayed rescue operations, making it harder for emergency teams to reach the injured.
Many passengers were buried under the overturned bus and had to be extricated carefully.
District administration orders inquiry
The Mandi district administration has ordered a detailed inquiry into the accident to determine its exact cause.
Officials are examining the mechanical condition of the bus, road safety measures, and the driver’s conduct at the time of the incident.
Investigations are currently underway, and more details are expected soon.
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