JAMMU: At least five persons were killed while 12 others sustained injuries after a tempo traveller rolled down into a deep gorge following a collision with an Alto car near Kela Morh on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in Ramban district late on Thursday night.
According to police, "The ill-fated vehicle (JK02AP-5338) on its way to Jammu from Srinagar rolled down into a deep gorge after hitting an Alto car near Kela Morh when the driver lost control over the vehicle resulting into serious injuries of passengers of the ill-fated vehicle and the occupant of car."
"Upon receiving the information about the accident, a police team and QRT rushed to the spot and started a rescue operation along with locals and other security personnel. Four persons died on the spot while one succumbed to his injuries on way to the hospital and 12 sustained injuries,” police said.
"All the injured including the occupant of the car were admitted to District Hospital (DH) Ramban, where doctors declared five among them as brought dead. Deputy commissioner Mussarat Islam rushed to the hospital and directed the hospital staff to provide best medical treatment to the injured," police added.
"After initial treatment, some of the injured were later referred to Government Hospital (GMC) Anantnag and seven to Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu for specialised treatment."
The injured were identified as Rajesh Kumar (40) of Gharota-Jammu, Mohd Zubair (21) of Nowshera-Rajouri, Mohammad Nadeem (28) of Uttarakhand, Mohammad Gulzar (22) of Bathindi-Jammu, Mohammad Shahid (27) of Uttar Pradesh and Din Mohammad (45) of Uttar Pradesh and Mohsin, a resident of Chowadhi District (Jammu), all were referred to GMC Jammu whereas Abid Hussain (25) of Kupwara, Manzoor Ahmed (27) of Sopore, Zahid Farooq (27) of Pattan-Baramulla, Zahoor Ahmed (24) of Lolab-Kupwara and Jahangeer Ahmed (22) of Seri -Baramulla were referred to GMC Anantnag.
The identity of the deceased could not be ascertained, the officials said.
As per locals, the vehicle was being driven in negligent and rash manner due to which the accident took place. It had already hit some vehicles before it hit the Alto car and rolled down into a gorge.
Police said that a case under relevant sections has been registered at Ramban police station and investigation is under way to ascertain the reason behind the accident.
Meanwhile, lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha has expressed grief over the loss of lives and prayed for speedy recovery of the injured.
Office of LG J&K @OfficeOfLGJandK tweeted: "Deeply pained by the road accident near Kela Morh, Ramban. In this hour of grief, I convey my condolences to the bereaved families. May the injured recover at the earliest. Directed officials concerned to provide best possible treatment to the injured."
