Accident – Four Dead After Taxi Falls Into Gorge in Chamoli
Accident – A tragic road accident in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district claimed four lives and left four others injured after a passenger vehicle plunged into a deep gorge along a mountainous route.
A serious road accident occurred in Chamoli district on Thursday when a Bolero taxi carrying local residents veered off the Dewal-Ghes motor road and crashed into a deep gorge near Kunar Bend. The vehicle was reportedly heading from Dewal toward Ghes when the driver lost control on a difficult stretch of the hilly roadway, leading to the fatal incident.
Victims Identified by Authorities
Officials confirmed that four passengers lost their lives in the accident. The deceased were identified as Janaki Devi, Arjun Singh, Alam Singh, and Deepu. All of them were residents of Kheta village.
Four other occupants sustained injuries and were rushed for medical treatment. The injured were identified as Harendra Singh, Uma, Khadak Singh, and 18-month-old Harshita. Medical teams are closely monitoring their condition, with one of the injured reported to be in critical condition.
Vehicle Plunged Into Deep Gorge
According to preliminary information, the taxi suddenly moved off the roadway while travelling through the mountainous section near Kunar Bend. The vehicle rolled down into a steep gorge, leaving passengers trapped inside the damaged vehicle. The challenging terrain made rescue efforts difficult, prompting an immediate response from emergency teams.
Rescue Teams Launched Immediate Operation
After receiving information about the crash, police personnel and rescue workers quickly reached the accident site. Emergency responders carried out a rescue operation in the rugged area to retrieve all occupants from the wreckage.
Authorities said all eight passengers were successfully pulled out and transported to the Primary Health Centre in Dewal with the assistance of the state’s 108 ambulance service. Doctors later confirmed that four victims had died before reaching medical care, while the remaining passengers were admitted for treatment.
Administration Monitors Situation
Chamoli District Magistrate Gaurav Kumar stated that rescue teams were deployed without delay after the accident was reported. He confirmed that the bodies of the deceased had been recovered and that the injured were receiving medical attention at healthcare facilities.
Local authorities are continuing to assess the circumstances surrounding the crash. Further details regarding the exact cause of the accident are expected after the completion of the official inquiry.
Another Road Tragedy Within a Day
The latest accident comes shortly after another fatal road mishap in Uttarakhand. Less than a day earlier, four people were killed in the Mussoorie region when their car reportedly lost traction on a steep shortcut road and plunged nearly 500 metres into a gorge.
The two incidents have once again drawn attention to the safety challenges associated with travelling on mountain roads, particularly during journeys through narrow and steep stretches. Authorities continue to urge drivers to exercise caution while operating vehicles in hilly regions, where difficult terrain and sharp bends can significantly increase the risk of accidents.