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13 die as bus falls into gorge in HP
Our Correspondent

Kulu, November 14
Thirteen persons, including one woman, were killed and 39 injured, six of them seriously, in a bus accident today at Talada village, near Sainj, in Banjar subdivision of this district. The bus rolled down a gorge about 300 feet deep. Six persons died on the spot while five succumbed to their injuries on way to the Regional Hospital, here. Two died in the hospital. The five of the seriously injured were referred to the IGMC and Hospital, Shimla, while one has been referred to the PGI Chandigarh.

The deceased were identified as Man Singh (27), son of Ramdhan of Thalaut (conductor of the bus), Dola Singh (20), son of Bhoop Singh of Mohalu Panjai, Sunita Sood (40), a teacher in Central School, Sainj of Mohal village, Dev Raj (37), son of Karam Chand of Thalaut, Man Bahadur (76), Nepali from Panarsa village, Ramesh Chand (32), son of Paras Ram of Kandi (Banjar), Dabe Ram (27), son of Dable Ram of Shalanallh, near Aut, Om Chand, son of Sher Singh Banala, near Aut, Subhash, son of Fateh Ram of Kartah near Sainj, Kashi Ram (59), sevadar, PHC Sainj, Gorkhu Ram of Baijnath and Tripurai from Bihar while one of the dead could not be identified.

Those seriously injured have been referred to Shimla.

The injured have been admitted to Regional Hospital here.

Mr Satya Prakash Thakur, former minister and Chairman of the HP State Marketing Board, rushed to the spot and supervised the rescue operation.

Mr Khimi Ram, MLA, also visited the spot and assessed the rescue operations. He demanded that the injured be provided transport to the IGMC and PGI.

Mr Chamel Singh, Deputy Commissioner, said Rs 5,000 each had been distributed to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 5,000 each to the seriously injured, besides ambulances to shift them to Shimla and Chandigarh.

The Superintendent of Police, Mr G. D. Bhargava, and SDM of Banjar Mr P. R. Verma, along with a team of doctors reached the spot immediately after hearing the accident.