Dehradun: Four tourists from the Delhi-NCR region lost their lives in a devastating road accident on Wednesday after the car they were travelling in plunged into a deep gorge along the Mussoorie-Dehradun highway in Uttarakhand.
The mishap occurred near Kolhukhet, where the vehicle reportedly veered off the road and tumbled nearly 500 metres down a steep hillside. According to police officials, the victims were returning from Uttarkashi when the accident took place.
Initial findings suggest the driver may have lost control of the Maruti Celerio while navigating a downhill section of the road. Investigators suspect a possible brake malfunction, although the exact cause will be confirmed after a detailed examination of the vehicle.
Soon after receiving information about the incident, police personnel and rescue teams reached the location and carried out an operation to access the wreckage. Tragically, all four occupants of the car were declared dead at the scene.
The deceased have been identified as Satyaprakash from Sonipat, 19-year-old Manit, Savita (48), a resident of Nehru Nagar in Ghaziabad, and Sangeeta (46), who lived in Delhi’s Karol Bagh area.
Authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances leading to the crash. Officials said the vehicle’s mechanical condition, including its braking system, would be thoroughly inspected as part of the inquiry.
Expressing sorrow over the tragedy, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families. In a statement, he described the loss of lives in the accident near Jharipani on the Mussoorie-Dehradun route as deeply distressing and prayed for peace for the departed souls as well as strength for their families during this difficult time.