Munish Sood
Mandi
Sundernagar subdivision in Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district witnessed a tragic day on Monday as three separate accidents claimed four lives and left three others injured, two of them critically. The seriously injured are undergoing treatment at Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), Shimla.
The first incident occurred around 8 am near Charkhri when a private bus met with an accident after being left unattended by its driver. According to police, the driver had started the bus and stepped away to have tea when the vehicle suddenly rolled backwards and plunged down the slope. At the time of the accident, three women and a child were on board.
ASP Mandi Abhimanyu Verma said 75-year-old Kalawati died on the spot, while 11-year-old Yakshit and his 31-year-old mother Geeta Devi sustained critical injuries and were referred to IGMC Shimla. Another passenger, 55-year-old Krishna Devi, received minor injuries and was discharged after first aid. Police have registered a case and launched an investigation into the incident.
In another tragic incident, an 85-year-old woman, Himi Devi, was burnt to d*eath after a fire broke out in her kitchen late Sunday night in Kushla village under Ghirri gram panchayat. Local residents rushed to the spot and managed to bring the blaze under control, but the elderly woman, who was asleep inside the kitchen, could not be rescued in time.
The third accident occurred on Monday morning on the Salapar–Tattapani road when a car lost control and plunged into the Satluj river. SDM Sundernagar Amar Negi confirmed that both occupants of the vehicle died on the spot. The deceased were identified as Nagin Kumar and Kuldeep, residents of Panjolth village. The administration has provided immediate relief to the bereaved families.
Sundernagar MLA Rakesh Jamwal expressed deep grief over the tragic incidents and extended his condolences to the families of the victims. He also directed the district administration to ensure all possible assistance to the affected families and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
