Speeding taxi claims life of shepherd, 10 animals

A tragic road accident on the Kullu-Manali national highway at Bran in the Manali subdivision claimed the life of a shepherd and left 10 sheep and goats dead. The incident occurred early yesterday when a speeding taxi (HP-01B-5001), coming from Kullu, lost control and ran over the herders and their flock.

The deceased has been identified as Mahender Singh (37), a resident of Kaladi village in Mandi district. Preliminary reports suggest that several sheep herders from Mandi were travelling with their livestock from Kullu to Manali when the mishap took place. Mahender Singh, who was walking ahead of the group, sustained fatal injuries after the taxi struck him and several animals.

According to eyewitness Narottam Ram, a fellow herder from Tehri village, he and his companions—Jagat Ram, Hirdu Ram, and Mahender Singh—had been moving towards Kanyal with their herd. They had camped at Patlikul the previous night and resumed their journey early in the morning. Around 4:30 am, near Bran, the taxi suddenly approached them at high speed and crashed into the herd from behind, killing several animals instantly and fatally injuring Mahender Singh.

The local police acted swiftly following the incident. Manali DSP KD Sharma confirmed that the taxi driver, Lalit Kumar of Galu village in Mandi district, has been arrested. A case has been registered under sections 281, 106, and 325 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Authorities are continuing their investigation to ascertain the full details of the accident and any potential negligence involved. Meanwhile, officials are urging drivers to strictly observe speed limits, especially on highways often used by pedestrians and livestock herders, to avoid such preventable tragedies in the future.