A tragic road accident in Sirmaur district, Himachal Pradesh, on Friday, has sent shockwaves through the region. A private bus veered off the road and plunged into a deep gorge in Hari Purdhar, resulting in the immediate death of eight passengers and leaving 12 others seriously injured. The devastating incident occurred in the afternoon as the bus was en route from Kupvi in Shimla district to Solan.
Details of the Catastrophic Incident
The unfortunate event unfolded in the Hari Purdhar area, which falls under the Shri Renukaji Assembly constituency of Sirmaur district. On Friday afternoon, a private bus, which was undertaking its routine journey from Kupvi in Shimla district to Solan, suddenly lost control and plummeted into a deep ravine. The sheer scale of the tragedy is evident from the. Fact that eight passengers succumbed to their injuries on the spot. At the time of the accident, approximately 40 to 50 individuals were on board the bus, many of whom sustained severe injuries, while news of the accident quickly spread, causing widespread alarm, and local residents immediately rushed to the scene to assist with rescue efforts.
Cause of the Accident and Initial Response
According to preliminary information provided by the police, the primary cause of the accident appears to be dense fog. The area near Hari Purdhar was reportedly experiencing heavy fog, which Notably reduced visibility. This adverse weather condition led the bus driver to lose control of the vehicle, causing it to veer off the road and fall into the gorge. As soon as the bus plunged, residents from nearby areas responded swiftly, while without hesitation, they initiated relief and rescue operations, descending into the gorge to pull out trapped passengers. Simultaneously, they promptly informed the police and administration about the grave accident, facilitating a larger-scale rescue operation.
Prompt Action by Police and Administration
Upon receiving news of the accident, the police administration mobilized quickly. Police teams from Sangrah, Rajgarh, and Nauhradhar were immediately dispatched to the accident site. These teams, working in conjunction with local residents, intensified the rescue efforts, while police personnel played a crucial role in extracting the injured from the gorge and providing them with initial aid. Sirmaur Superintendent of Police (SP) Nishit Singh Negi also promptly departed for the accident site, recognizing the severity of the situation, to oversee the rescue operations and assess the ground reality. His presence further bolstered the morale and efforts of the rescue teams.
Treatment of the Injured and Identification of the Deceased
In the aftermath of the accident, 12 passengers sustained serious injuries. They were immediately transported to nearby hospitals with the help of ambulances. Medical teams are diligently working to treat the injured, and their conditions are being continuously monitored. Every possible effort is being made to provide the best medical care to those critically injured. Meanwhile, the bodies of the eight deceased passengers have been. Taken into custody by the police and sent for post-mortem examination. The police team is now focused on identifying the deceased to inform their families. This is a sensitive process that may take time, but the police are making every effort to ensure that all victims are identified as quickly as possible.
Ongoing Rescue Operations and Challenges Faced
A large-scale rescue operation has been continuously underway at the accident site since the incident occurred. So far, approximately 30 passengers have been safely rescued from the wreckage. Efforts to extract other individuals who might still be trapped inside the bus are ongoing. The depth of the gorge and the challenging geographical terrain of the area are posing significant obstacles to the rescue efforts, while however, the police, administration, and local residents are working collaboratively to overcome these challenges. Dense fog and poor visibility also complicated rescue efforts, especially immediately after the accident. Nevertheless, all rescue teams are working with full dedication to ensure that no passenger remains trapped in the bus debris.
Further Investigations and Road Safety Concerns
Following this tragic accident, the police have initiated an investigation into the matter. A detailed inquiry will be conducted to ascertain the exact causes of the accident. The technical condition of the bus, the driver's qualifications, and adherence to road safety standards will also be assessed. Road safety in such hilly regions has always been a significant. Concern, and this accident once again draws attention to these critical issues. The administration will take steps to ensure that such incidents are prevented in the future. This event has underscored the urgent need to strengthen road safety measures in the region.
