Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 7: In a tragic accident, five persons were killed and 15 others including eight children sustained severe injuries when a Tempo Traveler they were traveling in plunged into Neeru nullah near Bhaderwah in Doda district this afternoon.
The ill-fated Tempo Traveler bearing registration number JK06-3469 was on its way from Bhderwah to Doda when at Seri it plunged into Neeru nullah reportedly due to the negligence of the driver, who according to the injured passengers was driving the vehicle rashly.
The vehicle collided with several bounders before landing on the bank of nullah thereby causing grievous injuries to the passengers.
On the receipt of information about the accident, police and civil administration teams swung into action and started rescue operation with the help of locals. After hectic efforts, all the occupants of the ill-fated vehicle were brought out of the nullah and rushed to District Hospital Doda.
While three passenger died on the spot, two others succumbed to injuries during the rescue operation and they were declared as brought dead by the doctors in the District Hospital Doda. Out of the 15 injured persons, two were airlifted to Jammu for specialized treatment in the Government Medical College and Hospital.
“Keeping in view the serious condition of two injured the Army authorities were approached and accordingly a chopper was pressed into service to airlift these injured persons”, said Deputy Commissioner Doda, Farooq Ahmed Khan, who along with other senior officers of the district administration and senior Police officers closely monitored the rescue operation.
He said that immediate financial assistance to the tune of Rs 3000 was given to the family members of each deceased person and Rs 2000 to each injured person.
The tragic accident once again has put a question mark on the steps, which the State Government is claiming to have already taken to check tragedies on roads particularly in the hilly districts like Doda. From the number of accidents frequently taking place in such districts only it can be presumed that recommendations of committees constituted with the objective of suggesting steps to check tragedies on roads continue to remain confined in the official files.
The deceased have been identified as Nampal (15), son of Abdul Rashid, Suresh Kumar (22), son of Ram Kawari, Bogi (40), wife of Abdul Rashid, Baby (7), daughter of Shallu, all the residents of Dilbaria, tehsil Banga of Uttar Pradesh and Sardari Lal (50), son of Charan Dass of Khelani, Bhaderwah.
The injured have been identified as Ingur (28), son of Balu, Rashid (45), son of Mahndi, Bam (48), son of Salok, all the residents of Dilbaria, tehsil Banga of Uttar Pradesh, Menwa (35), son of Gujjar of Ramzan, tehsil Nanpara, Uttar Pradesh, Jujnee (05), son of Angoor, Krishna (07), son of Angoor, Sukhchain (03), son of Chandu Ram of Ramzanpur, Nanpara Uttar Pradesh, Kampu (05), daughter of Bam, Arti (03), daughter of Rashid, Babi (05), don of Shalu, Shalu Devi (18), daughter of Bam, Kajol (06), Irfan (40), son of Parvaiz Ahmad of Rishipura Berru, tehsil Bhaderwah and Malwa (50), wife of Kotri of Batwara Uttar Pradesh.
The condition of injured passengers was out of danger when reports last came in.
Meanwhile, Governor, N N Vohra expressed grief over the loss of precious human lives in the accident.
In his message, Mr Vohra expressed sympathy with the bereaved families and prayed for eternal peace to the departed souls. He also prayed for the speedy recovery of all those injured in the accident and hoped that the State Police and Traffic Department would take emergent steps to ensure against the recurrence of serious accidents in the vulnerable segments of the roads where mishaps continue to take place.
Union Health Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad also expressed deep anguish and grief on the loss of precious lives in the accident.
Conveying his condolences to the bereaved families, Mr Azad said, “my heart goes out for the kith and kin of those who lost their dear ones and I am with them in this hour of grief”.
He has urged the administration to provide all possible assistance to the injured so that precious lives could be saved.
Follow our WhatsApp channel