5 of family killed as car falls into gorge in Himachal’s Chamba

Six people were killed when a boulder hit a moving car causing it to veer off the road and plunge into a gorge in Chanwas area of Churah sub-division in Chamba district on Thursday night.

Police said the family was on the way to their native village when a rock rolled down the hill and hit their vehicle. The car veered off the road and tumbled into the gorge. Locals rushed to the spot on hearing a loud sound.

The deceased have been identified as Rajesh Kumar, a 40-year-old schoolteacher from Bulwas; his wife Hanso, 36; their daughter Aarti, 17; and son Deepak, 15. Also, among the dead were Hemraj, 37, serving in the army; and a villager, Rakesh Kumar, 44.

Hemraj, who was behind the wheel, had come home on leave about 15 days ago. On Thursday evening, he was going to drop off his sister, brother-in-law, and their children at their native village. Rakesh Kumar had taken a lift.

The accident occurred just a kilometre before they reached their destination.

The family were returning home for Raksha Bandhan from Banikhet, where the children studied.

Police have registered a case and started the investigation.