A devastating accident occurred in the serene hills of Himachal Pradesh on Sunday morning. A vehicle carrying pilgrims from Uttar Pradesh overturned on the Kangra bypass. All passengers were returning after visiting the Jwalaji Temple. Seven people were injured in the accident, with two reported to be in critical condition.
What happened during the accident?
The incident occurred around 6:30 AM. The pilgrims, hailing from Ayodhya district in Uttar Pradesh, were traveling in a taxi van towards Dharamshala after their visit. As the vehicle reached the Kangra bypass, the driver lost control at high speed. The vehicle collided with the divider, veered towards a roadside ditch, and overturned. Local residents and passersby, hearing the crash, immediately offered assistance and informed the police.
Identification and Condition of the Injured
The injured pilgrims were immediately taken to Kangra District Hospital. After initial treatment, two injured individuals were referred to Tanda Medical College. The injured, with names included with family permission, are:
- Ranjit Verma (45 years) – Serious injuries
- Saroj Devi (42 years) – Severe head injury
- Anshika Verma (14 years) – Minor injuries
- Rajiv Tiwari (50 years)
- Payal Tiwari (46 years)
- Manish Dubey (35 years)
- Driver Ravi Shukla (30 years)
According to doctors, two passengers are under observation, while the condition of the others is stable.
Local Help in the Rescue
Local citizens passing by the bypass during the accident demonstrated exemplary help. They rescued the passengers trapped inside the vehicle and provided water and first aid to the injured. Subsequently, the police and ambulance team arrived at the scene and transported the injured to the hospital. The police have seized the damaged vehicle and initiated an investigation.
Preliminary investigations indicate that speeding and driver negligence caused the accident, although the police have also ordered a technical inspection of the vehicle. According to the SHO Kangra: the vehicle overturned due to imbalance on a bend. The driver's statement is being recorded; the exact cause of the accident will soon be clear.
A Sad Turn in the Pilgrims' Journey
The pilgrim family stated that this journey was undertaken as a family vow. They arrived at Jwalaji on Saturday and performed their worship with full devotion. They were preparing for their return journey on Sunday morning, but this unfortunate accident occurred just a few kilometers away. A family member stated: We could never have imagined that a journey undertaken to fulfill a wish would end with such memories.
The Himachal administration has assured full assistance in the treatment of the injured. The SDM of Kangra visited the hospital to inquire about the condition of the injured and spoke with the family members. The administration also stated that steps will be taken to enforce traffic safety regulations and improve road conditions.
