Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 10 Feb: A horrific road accident in Kalsi Tehsil of Vikasnagar Development Block claimed three lives after a utility vehicle plummeted into a deep gorge, adding to the alarming spate of mishaps across Uttarakhand. The tragedy unfolded on the Bairaatkhai-Gangrau motor road near Vayadhar this morning, when the vehicle tumbled off the road. After the accident, a swift rescue effort was launched by administration teams aided by local residents. The utility vehicle had departed from Gangrau village bound for Vikasnagar with approximately eight passengers, including the driver, on board.
As per the reports, as the Utility vehicle approached Vayadhar, the driver lost control, sending the vehicle hurtling into the gorge below. One woman perished on the spot, while the others suffered grievous injuries. Nearby villagers and officials rushed to the scene, extracting the injured from the ravine and rushing them to hospital. Tragically, a second woman succumbed to her injuries en route to the medical facility and the third died during transfer to a higher centre. Five survivors remain under treatment for serious wounds.
As per the local administration, the deceased have been identified as Luso Devi, aged 65, wife of Nandudas from Gangrau in Kalsi, Dehradun; Geeta Devi, aged 35, wife of Prakash Khanna from Khusiyo in Kalsi, Dehradun; and Dhano Devi, wife of Santu Das from Chittad in Kalsi, Dehradun.
Naib Tehsildar, Kalsi, Ravindra Aswal, confirmed that Luso Devi died at the accident site, Geeta Devi on the way to hospital, and Dhano Devi while being referred to a higher medical centre. The seriously injured have been admitted to Vikasnagar hospital.
It may be recalled that this incident echoes a similar disaster on 3 February, when a Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) bus crashed near Kwanu on the Haripur-Minas motor road, killing three people instantly and injuring many others. The victims from that crash continue receiving care in hospitals in Vikasnagar, Dehradun and Chandigarh. In this case, the bus driver succumbed to his injuries in Chandigarh just days ago, raising the death toll to four.
