One person was killed and three others sustained critical injuries after a car veered off the road and crashed onto an under-construction bridge near the north portal of the Atal Tunnel in Lahaul, Himachal Pradesh, on Tuesday night. The vehicle became lodged among exposed steel reinforcement bars of the bridge structure, highlighting the force of the impact.
Victims and Rescue Operation
The deceased was identified as 34-year-old Kailash, a resident of Sikar, Rajasthan. The injured include Rajender and Siddharth, the driver, both from Sikar, and Aditya, a resident of Lakhimpur, Uttar Pradesh. All four were traveling from Manali to Lahaul in a vehicle with Rajasthan registration when the accident occurred.
Rescue teams rushed to the scene and transported the injured to the hospital in Keylong, where they received emergency medical treatment. Authorities confirmed that the injured remain in critical condition.
Cause of Accident
Preliminary investigations indicate that speeding was the primary cause of the crash, according to officials. The police have launched an inquiry to determine the exact sequence of events and whether any other factors contributed to the mishap.
Concerns Over Road Safety
The incident has reignited concerns about reckless driving on the mountainous roads leading to the Atal Tunnel. The route features sharp bends, steep gradients, and challenging terrain, demanding extreme caution, especially at night. Authorities have urged motorists to adhere to speed limits and exercise greater vigilance while traveling through the region.
This tragic accident underscores the critical need for road safety awareness and stricter enforcement of traffic rules on Himalayan highways.
