Two killed, one hurt in car crash

Two persons, a man and a woman, were killed and one person was seriously hurt after the car they were travelling in skidded off the road and plunged into 300-metre gorge in Churah subdivision of Chamba district. The accident took place on the Jasaurgarh-Chamba road.

The deceased have been identified as 32-year-old Roopa Devi, and 53-year-old Bhuri Singh, both residents of Kuthed village. Critically injured Prem Lata, 45, has been admitted to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Government Medical College, Chamba.

An eyewitness, taxi driver Purshotam Lal, told the police that he was returning from Bagga after dropping off passengers when he saw a car traveling ahead of him. The vehicle suddenly went out of control and plunged into the gorge. Prem Lata, one of the passengers, was thrown out of the vehicle and landed slightly below the road.

The taxi driver raised the alarm after which villagers rushed to the accident site and launched a rescue operation. However, both Bhuri Singh and Roopa Devi had succumbed to their injuries. After considerable effort, the villagers retrieved the bodies and brought them up to the road. Injured was rushed to Jassaurgarh Health Centre from where she was referred to the higher healthcare institute after giving first aid.

Reports suggest that the accident spot lacked essential safety measures such as parapets or crash barriers. Had these protective structures been in place, the car might have been prevented from falling into the deep gorge.