M A I N   N E W S

37 killed as truck falls into gorge near Mandi
Kuldeep Chauhan
Tribune News Service

Mandi, August 18
At least 37 persons, including nine women and seven children, died on the spot, and more than 25 were injured when a private truck (HP31-2105) they were travelling in to attend a family function at Hatral village, fell into a 300-ft gorge near Leda on the Leda-Kalkhar-Ner Chowk link road around 5.30 pm today, about 40 km from here.

The bodies of 22 persons, who died on the spot, have been retrieved from the gorge. Eight died on way to Rati hospital and seven died on way to Mandi hospital, the police said.

The truck was overloaded and the victims were sitting in a “double-decker arrangement” inside the truck,” eyewitness said.

As many as 19 have been identified. They include Basanti Devi, Khub Ram, Kishori Lal, Lata, Banu Devi, Narbada, Umesh, Khimi Lal, Meera Devi, Deepu, Ratan, Isha, Sita, Hili Devi, Hemu Devi, Hansu, Dharma Devi, Rukmani Devi.

The toll could go higher as the police and a rescue team have yet to get the exact number of people travelling in the truck.

Most of those killed and injured were close relatives and family members. They were travelling in the truck from Sidhayani Bahaut village to Hatral village to attend the birthday function of their relative. The truck went just 100 m ahead of the village when the driver lost control over the vehicle and it fell into the gorge, the eyewitness said.

Most of the injured were rushed to Rati hospital, Sundernagar hospital and Mandi Zonal Hospital.

Fifteen patients were under treatment at the zonal hospital out of which 12 were children. They were reported to be serious.

SHO Balh Bahadur Singh said the truck, belonged to Chet Ram, was hanging precariously from the slope.

The team of district administration officials rushed to the spot and hospital and announced a grant of Rs 10,000 to the next of the kin of the deceased and Rs 5,000 to those who were injured.

Chief Minister PK Dhumal, Governor Urmila Singh and Union Steel Minister Virbhadra Singh expressed condolences to the family members of the victims.