Mandi: A man had a miraculous escape after the car he was driving skidded off a hill road and plunged into a nearly 100-metre-deep gorge in Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district late on Saturday night. Despite the severity of the crash, the driver survived with minor injuries, while the vehicle was completely mangled.
The accident occurred on the Galendi-Devdhar road in the Seraj region when Tek Chand, a resident of Salahar village, was returning home from Devdhar. According to preliminary information, the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle near Galendi, causing it to veer off the road and tumble down the steep hillside.
Tek Chand was travelling alone at the time of the accident.
On receiving information about the mishap, local residents rushed to the spot and launched a rescue operation. Braving the difficult terrain, villagers climbed into the deep gorge and managed to pull the injured driver to safety after considerable effort.
He was administered first aid and was later reported to be out of danger. Officials said the driver sustained only minor injuries despite the devastating impact of the fall.
The car, however, was extensively damaged in the accident and was left almost completely destroyed after rolling down the gorge.
Police have begun investigating the circumstances that led to the accident. While the exact cause is yet to be established, officials are examining whether factors such as road conditions, visibility or driver error contributed to the incident.
The accident has once again highlighted the risks associated with driving on narrow and winding mountain roads, particularly after dark. Local residents have urged the authorities to strengthen safety measures, including the installation of protective crash barriers, warning signage and improved road maintenance in accident-prone areas.
Authorities have also advised motorists travelling through hilly regions to exercise extra caution, maintain moderate speeds and avoid unnecessary night travel whenever possible, especially during the monsoon season when road conditions can become more hazardous.
