Punjab Newsline | Kullu
A tragic road accident was reported from Himachal Pradesh’s Kullu district during the second phase of Panchayat elections on Thursday. Three women lost their lives and eight others were seriously injured after a Tata Sumo taxi carrying villagers plunged into a deep gorge near Badhai Nala on the Kullu-Peej road.
According to officials, the passengers were residents of Sheela Nala Panchayat who had first cast their votes in the Panchayat elections and were later travelling to attend the famous Kahika fair in Shird village. During the journey, the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle, causing it to skid off the road and fall into the gorge.
The accident triggered panic and chaos at the spot as screams for help echoed through the area. Local residents rushed to the site and immediately launched rescue efforts.
Villagers pulled the injured passengers out of the damaged vehicle before ambulances arrived.
All injured persons were shifted to the Regional Hospital in Dhalpur for treatment. However, doctors declared three women dead on arrival.
Eight injured passengers are currently undergoing treatment, with some reported to be in critical condition. The incident created panic at the hospital as relatives gathered to seek information about their family members.
Local resident Trilok Chand said the road near Badhai Nala has been in poor condition for a long time and has become even more dangerous after recent rainfall. He claimed that several accidents had occurred on the stretch earlier as well, but no major repair work had been carried out.
After receiving information about the accident, Kullu MLA Sunder Singh Thakur reached Dhalpur Hospital and met the injured victims. He directed health officials to ensure proper medical treatment for all those injured in the mishap.
Police and administrative officials have started an investigation into the cause of the accident. Authorities are also in the process of confirming the identities of the deceased and injured victims. The tragic incident on the day of Panchayat polling has left the entire region in shock.
