JAMMU: Seven passengers, including four women, died and three others were critically injured after a minibus skidded off the road and broke into two parts before falling into a river in J&K’s Doda district on Monday.
A police source said, “The accident took place on Thathri-Gandoh road near Piyakul village, approximately 42km from Doda township, when the driver of the minibus lost control over the vehicle while negotiating a sharp curve and it fell into Kalnai river.”
Six persons died on the spot and four critically injured were rescued and shifted to nearby hospitals. The deceased were identified as Yaser Hussain of Dhrouth, Shakur Din of Kahara, Kalee Bagum of Pykul Bhalesa, Anjoo Devi of Challer, Sudhesha Devi of Suhanda Shiva and Bhim Chand of Challer Bhalesa.
“Four critically injured were airlifted to Jammu. However, a woman succumbed to her injuries on the way to Jammu during airlifting and was declared brought dead. Another injured person was shifted to Doda hospital,” a police officer said.
Doda SSP Mumtaz Ahmad said, “Death toll has risen to seven as a woman succumbed to injuries after being airlifted to Jammu. Police and locals had rushed to the spot and launched a massive rescue-cum-search operation.”
Meanwhile, a defence spokesperson said that an IAF helicopter from Jammu was pressed into service to rescue those critically injured in the accident.