Udhampur: In a tragic road accident in Udhampur district an overcrowded minibus fell into a gorge Tuesday morning resulting in the instant death of 14 persons, including an infant and six women.17 others were injured, some of the critically.
The mishap occurred near Dalsar area of Ramnagar tehsil at 8:30 A.M. The jam packed Minibus (JK14C-8068) was on its way from Ghordi to Ramnagar when the driver Ravi Shankar lost control over the wheels. The vehicle rolled down deep into a gorge near Dalsar area.
A top police official said that at least 31 persons including the driver were on board when the fatal accident took place. 14 persons died on the spot while 17 were injured. Among 17 wounded passengers 13 are serious and have been shifted to Government Medical College Jammu. The dead included 7 males, 6 females and an infant, the official said.
DC Udhampur Dr Shahid Choudhary while confirming the death of 14 passengers said that death toll may go up as some of the injured passengers are very serious. Rescue Operation was launched soon after the mishap. Besides the police and civil administration, locals helped in retrieving bodies and shifting the injured to hospital, he said.
The deceased have been identified as Ajay Kumar, son of Nek Ram of Surni village, Khem Raj, son of Tej Ram of Nallah Ghorran, Sapna Devi, wife of Sudesh Kumar of Plassian, Surjo Devi, wife of Tulsi Dass, resident of Dalsar, Bindroo Ram, son of Chinkoo of Jandrore (Mahesa), Neshi, wife of Shakti, resident of Kanah, Raghuvir Singh, son of Chajju Ram, resident of Jandrore, Ashok Kumar, son of Chet Ram, resident of Ghordi at present Thaplal, Ganesh Dutt, son of Amar Nath of Nallah Malliyan, Sushma Devi, wife of Attar Chand of Jandrore, Shaito Devi (36), wife of Kartar Chand of Kanah, Shanti Devi (55), wife of Prem Singh of Massal, Mulkh Raj of Nallah Ghorran and the driver Ravi Shankar.
Chief Minister, Mufti Muhammad Sayeed, expressed grief over the death of passengers in the accident.
In his condolence message, the Chief Minister conveyed his sympathies to the bereaved families in their hour of grief and prayed for peace to the departed souls. He also wished speedy recovery to those who were injured in the accident.
Meanwhile the Udhampur based Panthers Party leaders Prof Bhim Singh and Harsh Dev Singh accused the state government for the present mess on the roads and allowing vehicles to run without fitness certificate. This is a kind of the government we have in J&K which is protecting those who raise Pakistani flags and create human divide and allow the innocent to die on the roads. They demanded compensation of Rs.20 lacs each to the families of the dead and Rs.10 lacs to the injured with free medical care.
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