*Driver’s negligence leads to tragedy
Ajay Raina
JAMMU, Feb 13: Seven workers of Border Roads Organization (BRO) were killed and eight others sustained serious injuries when the tipper, they were traveling in, skidded off the road and plunged into deep gorge near Chamalwas on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in Banihal tehsil of Ramban district this evening.
The ill-fated vehicle bearing registration number DLITMB-AN593 was on its way to Banihal from Ramsoo, when the driver lost control over the vehicle as a result of which it went off the road and rolled down. Before landing in the bottom of the gorge, the vehicle collided with several rocks resulting into on spot death of five persons and severe injuries to 10 others.
On getting information, a team from Banihal Police Station, Red Cross volunteers from Ramsoo and locals rushed to the spot and started rescue operation. All the occupants of the ill-fated vehicle were brought out of the gorge after hectic efforts and rushed to Sub-District Hospital (SDH), Banihal in police and other vehicles.
In the hospital, one of the 10 injured succumbed to injuries raising the toll in the accident to 6.
Out of nine injured, seven were referred to different hospitals in Srinagar for advanced treatment, where one more injured succumbed to injuries.
The condition of the two injured admitted in SDH Banihal was stated to be out of danger when reports last came in.
The deceased have been identified as Nazir Ahmed (35), son of Mohammad Bhat, Ghulam Rasool (40), son of Fata Wani, Ashaq Hussan (35), son of Ghulam Nabi, Mohammad Yousuf (40), son of Fata Reshi, Mushtaq Ahmed (43), son of Raziq Khanday, Ghulam Nabi (60), son of Fata Mohammad Wani, all residents of Tethar and Sonaullah Tantary (48), son of Ahad Tantary of Nowgam.
The injured have been identified as Mushtaq Ahmed (28), son of Gul Wani, Rafiq Ahmed (35), son of Habiba Kumar, Abdul Gani (48), son of Rasool Bhat, Mohammad Ramzan (50), son of Ahad Hajam, Shakir Hussan (23), son of Mohammad Yousuf Naik, Atta Mohammad (40), son of Ahad and Mushtaq Ahmed (38), son of Abdul Raheem Itoo, all residents of Tethar and driver of the vehicle Darshan Singh (35), son of Mast Ram of Makerkoot.
A case under FIR Number 17/16 has been registered at Banihal Police Station and investigation started.
As per the initial reports, the accident took place only due to the negligence of the driver. All the deceased as well as injured persons were engaged by the Border Roads Organization for its project.
When contacted Deputy Commissioner Ramban, Bashir Ahmed Dar told the EXCELSIOR that the administration with the help of Red Cross provided financial assistance for the last rites of the deceased.
Meanwhile, pall of gloom descended on Tethar village when report about death of six inhabitants of this village and injuries to seven others reached there. Instead of receiving their bread winners after day long hectic labor, six families received the information about their death.
The family members of injured persons, soon on getting information about the tragic accident, started making arrangements to reach the hospitals to enquire about their condition.
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