Shimla: At least 37 people are feared dead and 25 others injured when a truck carrying about 65 people lost control on a straight road stretch at Hatnala under Balh police station and fell into a nallah in Mandi district, today.
The truck was going from Shadyani village (about 30 Km form Mandi) to Gorkutta village when the accident occurred at 5 p.m., said a police official.
Thakur Dass Patwai of Shadyani village had thrown a Dham for the birthday of his grandson and the truck was carrying people home after the party.
Speaking from the accident site, Bhadur Singh, SHO Balh police station over phone said that the truck was ferrying people who after participating in a birthday party were headed home.
“At least 37 people have been killed in the accident. The dead include 21 women, 9 men and 7 children,” said Bhadur Singh.
He said that preliminary investigation indicated negligent driving by the truck driver.
Senior administrative officers and medical teams had reached the spot and rescue and relief operations were being carried.
For details contact the disaster control room at 01905 -1077
Photo credit: Yash Razz
As Editor, Ravinder Makhaik leads a team of media professionals at Hill Post.
Spanning a career of over two decades in mass communication, as a Documentary Filmmaker, TV journalist, Print Media journalist and with Online & Social Media, he brings with him a vast experience. He lives in Shimla.
Indeed sad incident to note…
Yes, it is sad and painful. May the soul of the dead ones rest in peace and God give strenght to the family members of the demised people.
Himachal Government should put more efforts and resources to make roads safer. Time has come now safety and quality of roads should be checked properly.
They should come out with Number of accidents in state .Reason and remedial action taken by the Authoritites.
DANGEROUS AREAS AND CURVES should be highlighted and safety barriers used.
Drivers of all sort should be shown videos and documentaries about accidents ,devastation caused by accidents to families. All Bus Deports should Display Number of Accidents in that district for every 4 months.
Driving and Safety Tips to be displayed everywhere.
Please Stop wasting money on useless stuff ,and i guess i don’t need to mention that your bureaucrats will come out with the numbers and figures.
We shouldn’t surprised that Roads become Number One Killer in the State.
Lets Make Himachal Number One in Road Safety.
Update:
Death toll in the truck accident on Wednesday has risen to 39.
Sonal Agnihotri, SP Mandi said, “besides the 39 dead in the truck accident, 37 others have sustained injuries.
The injured are being treated, he added.
Sad incident, sometimes fate and karmas defeat everyone. May departed souls rest in peace and god gives courage to left ones to bear this shock.
The chief minister had visited the families of the victims to condole the deaths. He had further stated that it will be ensured that in future the trucks are not used to carry people under any circumstances and ‘strict instructions’ have been issued to the administration and ‘stern action’ will be taken against the defaulter. Today’s newspaper carries a news item that at a truck No. PB 12A 4874 carrying pilgrims fell in a gorge in Una district in which a woman died and 6 others were injured. So this is the effect of the warning of the CM. It can not be believed that the said truck did not pass before any police post or thana. Then why should these ‘rajnitibaaz’ shed crocodile tears on such accidents when they do not have any control over the administration who cares little for statements of strict instructions and stern action.
Amar Ji,
All politicians need “Incidents so that they can sympathize with next to kin…after once people are gone or become “Martyrs” .
All these leaders are expert in issuing notifications and releasing press statements..Just follow Jalandhar Chintapurni road after few days and you will find truck loads of pilgrims being stuffed in vehicles like sandwich ..
Strict actions are for press statements only, the traffic police is not at fault totally, its the execution of rules formed.. that are not implemented strictly.
That’s so painfull……..May god give peace to the departed souls.
IT IS VERRY PAINFUL.