Three people lost their lives and two others were seriously injured in two separate road accidents in Doda district on Thursday, officials said. Both incidents occurred in the hilly stretches of the region, where steep gradients and narrow roads continue to pose challenges for commuters.
The first accident took place on the Bhaderwah–Chamba road near Thanhala village when an Eeco van carrying four persons rolled into a deep gorge. Locals, assisted by police teams under the supervision of SSP Doda Sandeep Mehta, launched a rescue operation and shifted all the occupants to Sub District Hospital Bhaderwah.
Rescuers found the driver, Rinku Kumar, 35, a resident of Saloni in Himachal Pradesh, dead on the spot. The vehicle, bearing registration number HP07-927, was travelling from Gulabgarh Keru to Saloni Subdivision of Chamba district when it skidded off the road and plunged nearly 250 feet downhill.
The three other occupants — Kailash Kumar, 41; Chanderbani, 35; and Jai Ram Singh, 45, all residents of Chamba district — sustained serious injuries. They were returning home from the under‑construction Keru Hydroelectric Project in Kishtwar, where they worked. Later, Chanderbani succumbed to his injuries.
BMO Bhaderwah, Dr. Versha Sharma, said the two critically injured survivors had suffered head injuries and were referred to GMC Doda for specialised treatment.
In a separate incident the same day, one person died after a Tata Sumo travelling from Gandoh towards Bhargi met with an accident near Bhargi. Locals rushed to the spot and, with police assistance, shifted the injured man to Sub District Hospital Gandoh, where doctors declared him brought dead.
The deceased was identified as Bansi Lal, son of Bodh Raj, a resident of Gowari Bhargi in Tehsil Gandoh. Police have registered separate cases in both incidents and initiated investigations.
