By Our Staff Reporter
Haldwani, 26 Dec: The death toll in the roadways bus accident that occurred yesterday near Bhimtal in district Nainital has risen to five. Out of the 29 passengers who were aboard the bus at the time of the accident, 24 were injured, with six remaining in critical condition. Two seriously injured passengers have been airlifted to AIIMS Rishikesh for treatment.
It may be recalled that the accident occurred when an Uttarakhand Transport Corporation bus, travelling from Pithoragarh to Haldwani, fell into a 200-metre ravine near Saldi in Bhimtal. On the first day, four fatalities were reported, while 25 passengers were injured. This morning, 21-year-old Diksha Prakash, a resident of Haldwani’s Damuwadhunga, who was injured in the accident, succumbed to injuries, raising the death toll to five.
The remaining 24 injured passengers were being treated at Sushila Tiwari Hospital in Haldwani. But, today, two critically injured passengers were airlifted to AIIMS in Rishikesh. Dr Arun Joshi, Principal of the Medical College hospital, claimed that all the injured are receiving proper treatment, with the critically injured patients in the ICU. Efforts are being made to airlift other critically injured patients to Rishikesh AIIMS, and a team of doctors from AIIMS Rishikesh is also assisting in surgeries.
According to the injured, the bus fell into the gorge while trying to avoid a car with a Delhi licence plate. The driver and conductor also sustained serious injuries in the accident.
Chief Minister visits injured passengers in Haldwani
By Our Staff Reporter
Haldwani, 26 Dec: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami visited Sushila Tiwari Hospital here today to check on the condition of the injured passengers of the Nainital bus accident. He enquired about their condition at Sushila Tiwari Hospital and also spoke with the injured.On this occasion, Dhami expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased and the injured. He assured that there would be no issues with the treatment of the injured and mentioned that two critically injured individuals have been airlifted to AIIMS Rishikesh. Other patients will also be airlifted once the weather clears.
The CM directed the Police and transport departments to inspect vehicles coming from outside and ensure driver licences are checked. He also stated that the entire incident will be investigated by the Kumaon Commissioner. Kumaon Commissioner Deepak Rawat and District Magistrate Nainital Vandana Singh were present during the visit.
It may also be recalled that, late last evening, the government announced financial assistance of Rs 10 lakhs, each, to the families of the deceased and Rs 2.5 lakhs to the seriously injured. In addition, financial assistance of Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000 was also announced for those with lesser injuries.
