Garhwal Post Bureau
Nainital, 14 Aug: A major road accident was reported from Ramgarh, Nainital district, when a tempo traveller carrying more than twenty tourists plunged into a gorge nearly 100 feet deep. The incident occurred today as the vehicle, with passengers from Haryana, Faridabad and Delhi, was travelling from Bhawali towards Mukteshwar. Near Lakshmikhan Tiraha, about one kilometre ahead, the driver lost control and the vehicle broke through the parapet before falling into the gorge. Fortunately, the vehicle was stopped from falling too deep as it got entangled in the trees, preventing a more serious tragedy. Of the 21 tourists on board, one died on the spot while 20 sustained injuries.
The accident triggered panic at the site, with cries for help echoing as the locals rushed to assist. Police from Bhawali Kotwali and SDRF teams reached promptly after being alerted by passers‑by. Despite heavy rain, rescue operations were launched with the support of local residents. The depth of the gorge made evacuation difficult, but personnel descended and brought the injured out one by one, transferring them to the road and then to the Community Health Centre in Ramgarh.
Twenty passengers were rescued, six of whom are in critical condition and have been referred to higher centres in Haldwani. The injured were evacuated from the gorge and taken to the Community Health Centre in Ramgarh for treatment. Rescue workers faced difficulty in retrieving the body of the deceased as it remained trapped inside the mangled vehicle. Efforts were continuing to extricate the body while medical care is being provided to the injured at the time of filing of this report. Cutters have been deployed to extricate the body. CO Bhawali Ravikant Semwal confirmed that the tempo traveller bore a Uttar Pradesh registration number and was carrying tourists from Haryana, Faridabad and Delhi. He stated that twenty injured passengers were taken to Ramgarh CHC, while six seriously injured were referred to Haldwani for advanced treatment. Rescue teams continue to work under challenging conditions to ensure all victims receive timely medical care.
