3 dead as car plunges into gorge in Chamba

Three persons were killed and three injured when the car they were travelling in skidded off the road and fell into a 100-meter-deep gorge near near Tunuhatti, about 25 kilometres from Dalhousie in Chamba district.

The mishap took place on a dangerous stretch on National Highway 154-A, which is full of potholes and sans crash barrier. The deceased have been identified as Vidya Devi from Wehi Dedra in Basohli and Manu (13) and Mahinder Kumar (48) from Khajura village, all from Kathua district in the union territory of Jammu & Kashmir. The injured Shankar Kumar, Pathano Ram and a six-year-old kid Yash have been admitted to Harigiri Hospital at Kakira for treatment.

Upon receiving the information, local authorities and police rushed to the spot. 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 examination. 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.