Foreigner among 12 dead in 3 mishaps

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 25

Twelve persons, including a  French national, were killed and 31 injured in three separeate accidents in the state today.

Eight persons were reportedly killed when a  Garhwal Motor Owners Union bus going from Chaukhutia to Ramnagar fell into a deep gorge,  12 kilometre ahead of Machod and Basot, near Bhatroj Khan in Salt tehsil of Almora district today.

Eight persons died on the spot while 15 injured have been rushed to the hospital. The police have recovered the bodies of the deceased and sent these for postmortem.

According to the police the bus (UK-04-TA-0193) was carrying 25 passengers and was heading towards Ramnagar from Chaukhutia when the driver lost control over the wheel and it plunged into a 100-metre gorge. 

The locals hearing the cries of the injured informed the police and ambulance services. They rushed to the spot and rescued the injured and ferried them to the hospital at Bhatroj Khan. Three persons have been discharged after minor treatment. The seriously injured have been referred to Sushila Tiwari Medical Hospital, said sources.

Lithuanian woman hurt  

Mussoorie:  A Pik-up jeep and Max jeep met with two separate accidents at the same spot near Silai curve resulting in the death of three tourists from Delhi and   one French citizen in Uttarkashi district today. The three died on the spot while fourth person was reportedly died while he was undergoing treatment at Barkot Hospital.

According to the Barkot police, 16 persons are reportedly injured, including a foreigner Greta from Lithuania.

The deceased have been identified as Martin (24) from France, Hukum Singh from Chamoli district, Naveen from Pali Barkot and Devanand form Sangam Vihar, Delhi.

Greta from Lithuania was travelling in Pik-up jeep that hung precariously over a deep gorge after it met with an accident at Silai curve. She along with others somehow managed to escape unhurt but as she boarded the Max jeep, that too met with an accident and fell into a gorge. The grievously injured, including Greta were flown to Dehradun higher medical centre for further treatment.

Chief Minister Harish Rawat has expressed grief and extended condolences to the families of the bereaved.