Mandi
In a tragic road accident early Sunday (June 1, 2025), five persons were killed on the spot and one critically injured after a Mahindra pickup vehicle, transporting tent equipment, plunged into a deep gorge near the IIT-Kamand bridge in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh.
The victims, some of whom were from Punjab and Haryana, were reportedly on their way to deliver the equipment when the vehicle lost control near Kataula and fell into the ravine.
According to preliminary reports from the Police Control Room, the vehicle veered off the road while negotiating a curve. Of the deceased, at least two were residents of Punjab and one hailed from Haryana, while identification of the remaining victims was underway till the filing of this report. The lone survivor, who sustained severe injuries, has been admitted to a local hospital where his condition is stated to be critical.
“The vehicle was completely wrecked when we reached the spot. Rescue efforts began immediately with the support of local residents,” said a police official involved in the operation.
The bodies were recovered by the police and emergency response teams and have been sent for post-mortem. The local administration has initiated procedures to inform the families of the deceased and extend necessary support.
Though the exact cause of the accident remains unclear, slippery road conditions or mechanical failure have not been ruled out. An investigation is underway.
The incident has cast a pall of gloom over the area, with authorities urging transporters to exercise extreme caution while navigating the hilly terrain.
Munish Sood
