Excelsior Correspondent
REASI, Feb 18: A 13-year old boy among two persons were killed while 19 others got injured when a minibus carrying pilgrims to Shiv Khori shrine of Lord Shiva plunged into a gorge near Taryath in the Ransu area, here today.
The accident took place around 12.30 pm when driver of the minibus (JK11A-0215) lost control on wheels while negotiating a curve with the result, the vehicle skidded off the road and rolled down over 50 feet into a gorge.
Two persons reportedly died on the spot while 12 of the injured were referred to Government Medical College (GMC) hospital Jammu for specialized treatment.
The pilgrims hailing from Jamola, Dalhori and adjoining villages of Rajouri district were on their way to the famous cave shrine for offering prayers on the occasion of Maha Shivratri festival. A total of 21 devotees were travelling in the bus which met with the accident shortly after crossing into Reasi district from Argi village of Rajouri.
Police and locals immediately launched a rescue operation and rushed all the 21 victims to nearby Tryth Public Health Centre, where two of them were declared as brought dead. They were identified as Arpan Singh (14), son of Ram Singh, resident of Dalhori and Pankaj Kumar (22), son of Shamsher Singh, resident of Kalal in Rajouri.
Lt Governor Manoj Sinha expressed grief over the accident and directed the district administration to ensure best possible treatment to the injured. “Deeply pained by the loss of lives in an unfortunate road accident in Reasi. My deepest condolences to the families of the deceased. Praying for the early recovery of the injured,” Sinha said in a tweet.
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh also spoke to DC Reasi, Babila Rakwal after receiving report of the unfortunate accident and issued necessary instructions for all possible assistance to the victims. He was in continuous touch with the local administration.
The pilgrims, injured in the accident, were identified as Gulbant Singh (65), son of Baj Singh, resident of Kalakote, Chain Singh (27), son of Karnail Singh, resident of Jamola, Surjeet Singh (32), son of Kashmir Singh, resident of Jamola, Raj Kumari (57), wife of Ajeet Singh, resident of Dalouri, Sahil Kumar (22), son of Kashmir Singh, resident of Rajouri, Sonika Thakur (13), daughter of Kamal Singh of Sadote, Shashi Devi (46), wife of Karnail Singh, resident of Jamola, Jyoti Devi (16), daughter of Kamal Singh, resident of Rajouri, Sachin Singh (22), son of Karnail Singh, resident of Jamola, Karnail Singh, son of Sain Dass of Jamola, Babli Devi, wife of Kuldeep Singh of Jamola, Harpan Singh (13), son of Manveer Singh of Dalori, Madan Lal (55), son Sadhu Ram, resident of Hadiot, Pooja Devi (18), daughter of Ashok Kumar of Rajouri, Joginder Singh (24), son of Karnail Singh, resident of Kalal Kas, Karnail Singh (65), son of Vedi Chand, resident of Kalal Kas, Tanish, son of Karnail Singh of Bakori, Sanjana Devi (15), daughter of Karnail Singh of Jamola and Darshana Kumari (29), wife of Tilak Raj of Magola.
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