In a tragic incident on Sunday morning, five individuals, including two women, sustained injuries when the driver lost control of an SUV, causing it to plunge into a 50-metre-deep gorge near the Tilwara petrol pump on the Kedarnath National Highway in Uttarakhand's Rudraprayag district, according to police reports.
Details of the Accident
The accident occurred on the stretch between Rudraprayag and Agastyamuni. The SUV, a Mahindra XUV700, rolled down the hillside and landed upside down in the shallow waters at the edge of the Mandakini River. The victims were traveling from West Bengal to the Kedarnath shrine, a popular pilgrimage destination.
Rescue Operation
Upon receiving information, police personnel from the Tilwara outpost and Agastyamuni police station rushed to the scene. Teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), District Disaster Response Force (DDRF), and the 108 emergency ambulance service were also deployed immediately. During a joint operation by the police, SDRF, and DDRF, all five occupants were successfully rescued from the overturned SUV.
Injuries and Medical Care
Two women suffered serious injuries, including fractures, while the driver and two other men escaped with minor injuries. All injured passengers were shifted to the District Hospital in Rudraprayag for treatment.
Identification of Victims
The injured have been identified as Prince Singh, 30, from Jharkhand's Palamu; Sabhima Singh, 28, from West Bengal; Sujon Mukherjee, 27, and Rija Mukherjee, 30, both residents of Assam's Jalpaiguri; and the driver, Pradeep Kumar, 35, a resident of Uttar Pradesh's Auraiya.
Ongoing Investigation
Police are investigating the cause of the accident, which highlights the dangers of mountainous terrain and the importance of road safety on national highways. The Kedarnath National Highway is a critical route for pilgrims, and such incidents underscore the need for enhanced safety measures.
