A joyous celebration of the New Year and a birthday turned into a devastating tragedy in the early hours of Thursday in Himachal Pradesh's Kullu district. Four young individuals, including three women, lost their lives in a horrific road accident on the National Highway near the Bhootnath bridge.
Celebrations End in Tragedy
The group of four friends had traveled to the popular tourist spot of Kasol to ring in the New Year and also celebrate the birthday of Satpal, a 25-year-old local tattoo artist from Kullu. After the festivities, they were on their way back to Kullu town. Around 2:40 am, their speeding vehicle met with a catastrophic accident. The car first hit a roadside parapet and then violently collided with a parked truck.
The force of the impact was immense, completely mangling the vehicle. Three of the occupants, including Satpal, died on the spot. The fourth victim was pulled out alive from the wreckage and rushed to the Regional Hospital in Kullu. Given the critical nature of her injuries, she was later referred to AIIMS in Bilaspur. Unfortunately, doctors declared her dead upon arrival.
Victims Identified, Rescue Operation Detailed
The police have identified all four victims. Alongside the driver Satpal (25) from Kullu, the deceased women are:
- Ankita (20) from Udaipur village in Lahaul and Spiti district.
- Kashish (20) from sub-tehsil Jari in Kullu.
- Ratanjali alias Ruchi (20) from Bhuntar in Kullu.
The accident was so severe that rescue workers had to use iron rods to cut through the wreckage and extricate the occupants. Superintendent of Police Madan Lal Kaushal confirmed that an First Information Report (FIR) has been registered at the Kullu police station. He stated that the exact cause of the accident is under investigation.
Investigation Underway, Bodies to be Handed Over
The local authorities have initiated a thorough probe to determine the circumstances that led to the fatal crash. The focus of the investigation will likely include factors like speeding, driver error, and the condition of the road at the accident site. As per standard procedure, the bodies will be handed over to the families of the deceased after a postmortem examination is conducted.
This tragic incident has cast a pall over the Kullu valley, serving as a grim reminder of the dangers of speeding, especially on hilly roads during nighttime. The community is mourning the loss of four young lives cut short at the beginning of the new year.
