3 dead, 3 injured as car plunges into gorge in Chamba

Three people were killed and three injured after the car they were travelling in skidded off the road and fell into a 100m deep gorge near Tunuhatti, about 25 km from Dalhousie in Chamba district.

The mishap took place on a dangerous stretch on National Highway 154-A, which is riddled with potholes and lacks a crash barrier. The deceased have been identified as Vidya Devi from Wehi Dedra in Basohli, Manu (13), and Mahinder Kumar (48) from Khajura village — all from Kathua district in Jammu and Kashmir.

The injured Shankar Kumar, Pathano Ram, and Yash (6) have been admitted to Harigiri Hospital in Kakira for treatment. Upon receiving information, local authorities and police rushed to the scene. Preliminary investigations suggest that the accident occurred as the driver lost control on the wheel while negotiating a sharp curve.

The police have taken the bodies for post-mortem. A case has been registered and further investigations are underway to determine the exact cause of the crash, said Chamba Superintendent of Police Abhishek Yadav.