22 killed in accidents in Kinnaur and Shimla

SHIMLA: Twenty-two people were killed while 25 others were injured in two separate accidents in Kinnaur and Shimla districts. In another road accident in the state on Friday, 14 people, including three women, were killed and 31 injured when the private bus they were travelling in fell into a deep gorge in the remote Salooni area of Chamba district.

Wreckage of the bus that met with an accident at Bajrolipul near Sainj in Shimla district. Tribune photo

Bhanu P Lohumi

Tribune News Service

Shimla, May 21

Twenty-two people were killed while 25 others were injured in two separate accidents in Kinnaur and Shimla districts.

Thirteen people were killed while another suffered injuries when the Bolero Camper they were travelling in fell 300 feet down into a gorge on Chaura-Kamba link road in Nichar tehsil of Kinnaur district.

Twelve people died on the spot while another succumbed to his injuries on way to hospital. The lone survivor jumped out of the falling vehicle, police said.

The vehicle carrying 14 people was on its way to Chhota Kamba from Bhawanagar after leaving a newlywed bride at her in-laws’ place. The brother of the bride and the driver are among the deceased, sources said.

The vehicle was overcrowded and the cause of the accident is yet to be ascertained. The district administration reached the spot and all bodies have been recovered and sent for post-mortem. An immediate relief of Rs 25,000 has been given to the families of the deceased, said Kinnaur Deputy Commissioner NK Lath.

In another accident, nine people, including the driver and conductor of the bus, were killed while 24 others suffered injuries when the bus they were travelling in fell into a gorge near Bajroli Bridge in Theog sub-division of Shimla district on Saturday.

The HRTC bus was on its way to Tharoch from Chopal when the tragedy struck. The cause of the accident is has not been ascertained.

Sukh Ram, Reena Devi, Promila and driver Parvinder died on the spot while five others succumbed to their injuries on way to hospital, said Shimla Deputy Commissioner Rohan Thakur.

As many as 20 people admitted to hospital in Theog have been referred to Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla. The district administration has given an immediate relief of Rs 50,000 to the families of the deceased.

In another road accident in the state on Friday, 14 people, including three women, were killed and 31 injured when the private bus they were travelling in fell into a deep gorge in the remote Salooni area of Chamba district.

The toll is likely to go up as many passengers are stated to be critical. The bus that was going from Dalhouise to Sanghni, Salooni sub-division, was carrying 45 passengers. The bus fell in the Dhaain Nullah near the Chuhara Dam. The locals rushed to the spot and rescued the victims.