Police Officer Dies in Early Morning Crash
A sub-inspector of the Uttarakhand Police was killed on Tuesday after his Scorpio vehicle veered off the road and fell into a deep gorge near Shivpuri on the Rishikesh-Badrinath highway, officials said. The victim was identified as Vinod Sharma (45), the officer-in-charge of the Shivpuri police post under the Munikireti police station limits.
Tehri Senior Superintendent of Police Shweta Choubey said the incident occurred early morning when Sharma was returning home after completing his night duty. Upon receiving information about the accident, a police team and rescue workers rushed to the spot and launched a relief operation.
Rescue Efforts and Hospital Declaration
Following rigorous efforts, rescuers managed to pull Sharma out of the gorge and rushed him to a hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead. Police have launched an investigation to ascertain the exact cause of the crash.
According to SSP Shweta Choubey, the vehicle was a Scorpio SUV that went off the road near Shivpuri, a known accident-prone area on the Rishikesh-Badrinath highway. The exact reason for the vehicle veering off the road is not yet known, and investigators are examining factors such as driver fatigue, road conditions, and mechanical failure.
Community and Department Reaction
Vinod Sharma had been serving as the officer-in-charge at the Shivpuri police post and was well-regarded in the department. His sudden death has shocked colleagues and local residents. The Uttarakhand Police have expressed condolences to his family and assured full support.
Road accidents on the hilly stretches of Uttarakhand are not uncommon, and authorities have been working to improve safety measures. This incident highlights the risks faced by police personnel who often travel on treacherous routes during duty.
An official investigation is ongoing, and further updates are expected as the probe progresses.
