Rs 2 lakh to be given to the next kin of the deceased and 1 lakh from the road victim fund says J&K’s Lieutenant Governor Manoj Singh
On October 28, a mini bus skidded off the road and rolled down into a deep gorge on the Batote-Kishtwar highway in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district. As per reports, nine passengers were killed and 15 others were injured while the bus was carrying passengers from Doda to Thathri, the accident took place at Sui Gowrie area. The bus broke into pieces as it fell into the gorge.
The driver who was amongst the ones who are dead reportedly lost control of the vehicle and it fell downhill on the banks of the Chenab River. While eight people died on the spot, another succumbed to the injuries and died on the way to the hospital. Seven of the injured victims were airlifted to the Government Medical College (GMC) Hospital in Jammu for specialized treatment while others were taken to the GMC in Doda.
A rescue operation was launched by police, army and SDRF personnel with the assistance of locals. All the injured people rushed to the GMC hospital in Doda, where nine of them were declared dead by the doctors. Dr Yudhvir Singh, the Superintendent Associate of the hospital said that 25 people were brought to the hospital, among whom nine were declared dead and two eventually succumbed to the injuries.
Two bodies are yet to be identified. The seven others have been identified as Ghulam Hussain Shah (60), his son Shabbir Ahmed (30), Rhitik Sharma (19), Jammal din (23), Mohammad Latief (65), Annari Devi (55), Bahadur Singh (65), Santish Kumar (22), Rajesh Kumar (24) all died at the hospital.
Union minister Jitendra Singh conveyed his condolences for the loss of lives in the accident. He tweeted, “Learnt about tragic road accident near Thatri, #Doda. He spoke to D.C. Doda Sh Vikas Sharma.” Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed his despair over the tragedy and said that the J&K administration will ensure the treatment of those injured in the tragic road accident. “Rs 2 lakh to be given to next of kin of deceased from LG’s discretionary fund & Rs 1 lakh from road victim fund as immediate relief. I am monitoring situation & every possible assistance to grieving families will be extended,” he tweeted.
The Brief. Sign up to receive the top stories you need to know right now.