Punjab Newsline | Shimla

An HRTC bus (HP 06 A 5159) met with an accident in Himachal Pradesh’s Shimla district on Friday morning, leaving one passenger dead and more than 15 others injured.

The bus was travelling from Sanei to Rampur when it reportedly went out of control at a bend near Rai and plunged off the road. More than 20 people, including the driver and conductor, were reportedly on board at the time of the accident.

According to Danसा Panchayat Pradhan Padma Kumari, Vansh, son of Suranjan and a resident of Karali village in Rampur tehsil, died upon reaching the hospital. She expressed grief over the incident.

The accident occurred around 15 kilometres from Rampur. Soon after receiving information, local residents rushed to the spot and began rescue operations, helping passengers out of the damaged bus.

Locals transported the injured to Khaneri Hospital in Rampur in private vehicles. According to preliminary information, 17 injured passengers had been taken to the hospital. Two passengers reportedly sustained serious head injuries.

The bus came to a halt behind a cowshed after falling off the road, preventing it from sliding further down.

Police personnel reached the accident site and initiated an investigation to ascertain the cause of the crash. The exact circumstances leading to the accident are yet to be established. Further details regarding the deceased and injured passengers are awaited from the authorities.