2 Shimla cousins die in mishap

Tribune News Service

Panchkula, January 16

Two cousins were killed and four others injured when the car they were travelling in met with an accident while trying to save stray cattle on the Pinjore-Kalka bypass this morning. 

Interestingly, the area under the Panchkula Municipal Corporation was declared cattle-free by the authorities. 

The two deceased were identified as Praveen (28) and Anil (25), both residents of Shimla district in Himachal Pradesh. They were coming to Chandimandir to attend a wedding reception of their relative. 

While Praveen was driving the Alto car, bearing a temporary number plate, Anil was sitting on the front left seat. The injured — Bhagat Ram (60), Gaurav (17), Ashish (15) and Sahil (12) — were sitting on the rear seat.

Hitesh Pahwa, founder of the Hit Charitable Trust, reached the spot and took both Praveen and Anil to the General Hospital, Sector 6, Panchkula, where they were declared brought dead. Injured Bhagat Ram, maternal uncle of the deceased, told mediapersons at the General Hospital that both deceased were sons of his sisters. The accident occurred when a stray cow suddenly came in front of the car. The car overturned near Tibra village in Pinjore, he said. 

Chunni Lal, one of their relatives, said his daughter had got married to a boy of the Chandimandir area yesterday. They were coming to attend the reception today, he said.

Gaurav, who also got injured, said they were sitting in rear seat and did not realise how it happened. 

On the stray cattle menace, Panchkula MC Commissioner Rajesh Jogpal said they would write to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to ensure that cattle did not enter the highway. 

Tragedy strikes before wedding reception 

A relative of the victims had got married in Shimla on Monday. They were coming to Chandimandir to attend her wedding reception. However, before they could attend the reception, tragedy struck the family.