A tragic road accident occurred in Uttarakhand's Pauri Garhwal district on Tuesday when a car veered off the road and plunged into a deep gorge, resulting in the death of a woman and injuries to four others. The incident took place near the village of Kandolia on the Pauri-Kotdwar highway.
Details of the Accident
The vehicle, a Maruti Suzuki Swift, was traveling from Pauri towards Kotdwar when the driver lost control on a sharp curve. The car fell approximately 200 meters into the gorge. Local villagers rushed to the scene and alerted the police. Rescue teams from Pauri police station arrived promptly and, with the help of villagers, retrieved the victims from the wreckage.
Victims and Injuries
The deceased has been identified as 45-year-old Savita Devi, a resident of Pauri. The injured include the driver, identified as Ramesh Kumar (35), and three other passengers: Sunita Devi (40), Poonam Devi (30), and a 10-year-old child, Aarav. All were taken to the district hospital in Pauri, where their condition is reported to be stable. Two of the injured have been referred to a higher medical center in Dehradun for specialized treatment.
Response and Investigation
Senior police officials visited the accident site and have initiated an investigation. Preliminary reports suggest that the accident was caused by the driver losing control due to the sharp turn and possibly excessive speed. The road is known for its treacherous bends, and local residents have long demanded safety measures such as guardrails and warning signs.
The district administration has announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs. 4 lakh to the family of the deceased and free treatment for the injured. Traffic on the highway was disrupted for several hours as the wreckage was removed. Authorities have urged drivers to exercise caution on hilly roads, especially during the monsoon season when conditions become more hazardous.
