A tragic bus accident took place at Pauri Garhwal in Uttarakhand on Sunday afternoon killing five people and injuring 18 others. The incident occurred at Dehalchauri when a private bus, heading from Pauri city to Srinagar, skidded off the road and went crashing to the gorge deep below.
The mishap occurred around 1600 hours when the bus was traversing through the hilly parts of the region. Preliminary reports indicated that the driver lost control of the bus near a sharp turn and plunged around 100 m down the gorge. At that moment, there were 22 passengers on board the bus.
Rescue operations
The authorities received the news of the accident and immediately initiated rescue operations; teams from the SDRF and local police rushed to the site and managed to evacuate most of the passengers trapped inside the bus. All the injured persons are reported to be safe and have been shifted to hospitals.
Statements from officials
The District Magistrate Pauri Garhwal has asked the transport department officers to conduct a complete investigation regarding the cause of the accident. The preliminary findings that are available indicate that the bus was speeding and this caused the driver to lose control. Further investigations are underway into possible gradual lapses on safety efforts or vehicle maintenance.
Eyewitness evidence
“This was all quite horrible,” would-be survivors and locals noted. One from the bus said: “The bus was moving at a high speed and suddenly swerved off the road towards the bend. Everything seemed to happen in the blink of an eye, and we were down the slope.”
Another local eyewitness reported: “There was a big crash, and we all rushed to see. The bus was dangling, and we called with no delay to inform the authorities.”
Recent incidents
This incident is a stark reminder of the repeated accidents that occur in the hilly terrains of Uttarakhand. In November of 2022, an overcrowded Almora district bus veered off the road, crashing into a gorge. At least 36 people died, and over 20 passengers sustained injuries.
Reports state that while the bus was in poor condition, about 60 passengers were on board when it plunged down a deep gorge of approximately 200 feet. The rescue operation was immediate, but unfortunately, many passengers had already succumbed to their injuries.
Government Reaction
In the wake of these calamities, the state government has been urged to release stern rules for vehicles operating in mountainous areas, which include regular maintenance checks, speed limits, and proper training for drivers in hilly terrains.
The Chief Minister has expressed concern for the families of the deceased and assured that the government will take necessary measures to prevent such cases in the future.
Preventive Measures for Safety while on the Way
Authorities have once again reminded travelers to comply with all safety regulations while traveling in hilly areas. Some of them include:
- Speed limits: One must contribute in keeping appropriate speed, particularly while taking sharp bends and driving downhill.
- Maintenance of Vehicles: The general rule shall be vehicles should be serviced regularly for their roadworthy condition.
- Awareness of Passengers: Ask passengers to sit and put on seat belts if available.
- Preparation for Emergencies: Cars should carry first-aid kits and communication devices to alert for help in emergencies.
The unfortunate accident in Pauri Garhwal has brought into sharp focus the urgent need for improved measures concerning road safety in the mountainous regions of Uttarakhand. As investigations continue, it must be appreciated that the responsibility for safety lies on the shoulders of both the authorities and the travelers to avert further saddening accidents.
