The ill-fated bus that fell into a gorge killing six persons near Kangra
on Sunday. — Photo by Ashok Raina |
Kangra, July 30
Six pilgrims of Uttar Pradesh, including two women, were killed and more than 60 injured, 10 of them seriously, when a private bus carrying them on way to Jwalamukhi rolled down into Bathu Khud near Bathu Bridge, 15 km from here, this morning, the police said here today.
Additional Superintendent of Police Santosh Patial said in the local Civil Hospital that the ill-fated bus (UP78-N 5377) was
on way to Jwalamukhi from here after paying obeisance at the Bajjreshwari temple when it
rolled down into the khud near Ranital.
He said two pilgrims identified as Ranjeet and Ms Prem Lata, both residents of Kushi Nagar district of UP, died on the spot.
He said Mohinder, resident of Matholi Bazar of Kushinagar
district, and Ziladhar Singh, driver of the ill-fated bus, died on way to the local Civil Hospital here. Ambulances from Dharamsala and Ranital brought the injured
to Kangra and later seriously injured pilgrims were shifted to Dharamsala. Twentytwo seriously injured pilgrims were referred to a Dharamsala hospital and 38 remained admitted to the local
Civil Hospital.
District police chief A.K.Yadav said Raj Kumar and Gyano Devi succumbed to the injuries in Dr R.P.Govt Medical College and Hospital at Dharamsala. He said six pilgrims were still in serious
condition. Mr Yadav said there were nearly 70 passengers in this ill-fated bus when it met with the accident.
The pilgrims were mostly from Matholi Bazar of Khushinagar district who had visited the Vaishnodevi shrine in Jammu and were to visit Hardwar at the last leg of their pilgrimage. A pilgrim, who received minor injuries, said the breaks of the bus had failed when the bus was descending the steep road. It first dashed against a bolder and then rolled down at least 60 feet down. Preeti, a 5-year-old girl, came out safe in the accident.
The local residents rushed to the hospital and helped the injured. Seva Bharti, an NGO, provided much-needed relief to other pilgrims of the bus.
Assistant Commissioner Sharma said Rs 10,000 were given to the seriously injured persons and Rs 25,000 to the next kin of the deceased.
