Garhwal Post Bureau
Mussoorie, 10 Jun: Mussoorie witnessed a tragic accident on Wednesday morning when a car lost control and plunged into a gorge approximately 500 metres deep on the Jharipani-Kolukhet shortcut route. Four people, including two women, lost their lives in the incident. The crash was so severe that the vehicle tumbled down the gorge, rolling over multiple times, and was completely mangled. Around 9 a.m., the police control room received information that a car had fallen into a deep gorge on the Jharipani route. Upon receiving the alert, teams from the Mussoorie Police, ITBP, SDRF, Fire Service, and 108 Ambulance services rushed to the scene. Relief and rescue operations proved extremely challenging due to the depth of the gorge, the difficult terrain, and dense thickets.
Eyewitness Gajendra Rawat recounted that the car’s occupants had stopped at a shop along the route. They purchased some items and engaged in casual conversation; no one had any inkling that such a major tragedy would occur just minutes later. He stated that as soon as the driver moved the vehicle forward, the car suddenly began sliding backward towards a steep slope. The driver made every effort to stop the vehicle, but it went out of control and plunged straight into the gorge. He added that the accident happened so suddenly that bystanders could barely comprehend what was unfolding.
Mussoorie CO Ankit Kandari stated that rescue teams arrived at the site immediately after being informed of the incident, but the operation proved extremely difficult due to the 500-metre depth of the gorge and the dense vegetation. SDRF and ITBP personnel descended using ropes and, after hours of strenuous effort, managed to retrieve the bodies.
Mussoorie Circle Officer Ankit Kandari stated that, prima facie, the incident appears to have been caused by brake failure. However, a thorough investigation into all aspects of the accident is being conducted. He mentioned that police and rescue teams rushed to the scene immediately upon receiving news of the accident. The priority was to reach the victims quickly and expedite relief operations. The actual cause of the accident will be determined based on a technical inspection of the vehicle and other evidence.
Following the accident, locals expressed concern regarding safety measures on the Jharipani route. Local Councillor Gauri Thapliyal stated that safety barriers, warning signs, and other safety facilities need to be strengthened on the Jharipani route and several nearby roads. She emphasised the need to survey vulnerable spots and implement necessary safety measures—prioritising the safety of tourists and locals—to prevent such incidents in the future.
Mussoorie Municipal Council Chairperson Meera Saklani expressed deep sorrow over the accident and offered condolences to the families of the deceased. She described the incident as extremely tragic and heart-wrenching. The municipality provided all possible assistance and fully supported the relief operations. She added that all relevant departments must work together to ensure road safety in hill areas to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.
According to the police, those who lost their lives in the accident include Satyaprakash (from Sonipat), Manit (19) and Savita (48) from Ghaziabad, and Sangeeta (46) from Karol Bagh, Delhi. News of the accident caused an outcry among the families, and an atmosphere of mourning engulfed the entire area.
This tragic accident in Mussoorie has once again raised serious questions regarding the safety of hill roads, the technical inspection of vehicles, and safety arrangements on vulnerable routes. Locals say that many accidents could be prevented if safety measures on steep routes were further strengthened. With the loss of four lives, this accident serves as a stark reminder that in the mountains, even a momentary lapse can bridge the gap between life and death in mere seconds.
