A tragic incident occurred in the Lohaghat area of Champawat district on Friday, where two men were burnt to death and three others sustained injuries after a newly purchased car veered off the road, plunged into a deep gorge, and caught fire. The accident took place near Bantoli along the Tanakpur–Pithoragarh all-weather road, as confirmed by Lohaghat sub-divisional magistrate Neetu Dangar.
Details of the Incident
Baldev Kumar (36), a resident of Kanalichhina in Pithoragarh district, was returning home from Haldwani with his family after buying the vehicle. The car was being driven by Rajendra Kumar (48) of Didihat, according to a report by news agency PTI. Near Bantoli, the vehicle reportedly went out of control and fell into a gorge about 100 metres deep, bursting into flames immediately upon impact.
Baldev’s wife, Neetu Devi (35), and their two sons, Advit (8) and Aarav (5), who were seated in the back, were thrown out of the car during the fall. They survived with injuries. However, Baldev and the driver Rajendra were trapped inside the burning vehicle and died on the spot.
Rescue Operations and Investigation
After being alerted, teams from the local police, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and the district administration rushed to the site and carried out rescue and relief operations. The three injured family members were provided first aid and later shifted to a higher medical facility for further treatment. Champawat district magistrate Manish Kumar has ordered a magisterial probe into the incident, officials said.
This tragic event underscores the dangers of mountainous roads and the importance of vehicle safety. Further updates will be provided as the investigation proceeds.
