Chamba (Himachal Pradesh): A tragic road accident claimed three lives and left two others seriously injured late Wednesday evening in Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh. The mishap occurred when a vehicle skidded off the Devikoti–Tepa road in the Churah assembly constituency and fell into a gorge nearly 200 meters deep, police said on Thursday.
According to officials, the victims were returning home after attending a wedding ceremony when the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle on a sharp turn. The impact of the fall was so severe that three occupants — Rajinder Kumar (driver), Pammi Kumar, and Sachin — died on the spot.
The two survivors, identified as Amar Singh and Dharam Singh, sustained serious injuries and were initially rushed to the Civil Hospital in Teesa. They were later shifted to Chamba Medical College for advanced treatment, authorities confirmed.
Local residents, alerted by the noise of the crash, reached the spot and began rescue operations before police and emergency teams arrived. The damaged vehicle was recovered after a strenuous effort due to the steep terrain.
Police have registered a case and initiated an investigation to ascertain the exact cause of the accident. The bodies of the deceased will be handed over to their families after post-mortem examinations, officials added.
The tragic incident has cast a shadow of grief over the local community, with residents urging the government to improve safety barriers and lighting on the winding mountain roads that frequently witness such accidents.