A tragic road accident in Uttarakhand's Almora district has claimed the lives of an elderly couple from Delhi while leaving their son in critical condition. The incident occurred on Saturday evening when the family's SUV plunged into a deep gorge, resulting in immediate fatalities and severe injuries.
Details of the Fatal Mishap
The accident took place near Kasan on the Badechhina–Sheraghat motor road within the Bhainsiyachhana block. According to police reports, the vehicle lost control while navigating a sharp curve and fell approximately 30 metres onto a lower road. The impact was so severe that the SUV was completely mangled, indicating the tremendous force of the collision.
Family Background and Itinerary
The victims were identified as Pranab Roy (75) and his wife Shubhi Roy (72), residents of Manglapuri in Delhi's Mehrauli area. They had traveled to Uttarakhand for a vacation along with their 47-year-old son Siddharth Roy, who was driving the vehicle at the time of the accident.
The family had visited the popular pilgrimage site Kainchi Dham earlier that day and were en route to Dharchula–Munsyari when the tragedy struck. Preliminary investigation by authorities points toward loss of vehicle control as the primary cause of the accident.
Immediate Aftermath and Rescue Efforts
Local villagers were the first responders at the accident site and promptly alerted the authorities. A rescue team from Dhaulchhina police station, with assistance from villagers, conducted the challenging operation to extract the victims from the wreckage.
Pranab and Shubhi Roy succumbed to their severe injuries at the scene, while their son Siddharth sustained critical injuries. He was initially taken to a nearby health facility for emergency treatment before being referred to a hospital in Almora for advanced medical care, where he remains in critical condition.
Official Procedures and Investigation
Station in-charge Sunil Bisht confirmed that the bodies of the deceased couple were sent for post-mortem examination after completing all necessary legal formalities. The investigation into the exact circumstances surrounding the accident continues as authorities examine the vehicle and road conditions more thoroughly.
This tragic incident highlights the dangers of mountainous roads in Uttarakhand, particularly on sharp curves where vehicle control becomes challenging. It serves as a sobering reminder for travelers to exercise extreme caution while navigating such terrain, especially during vacation seasons when tourist traffic increases significantly in the region.
