Bus skids off rain-soaked road in Patrighat; victim crushed under vehicle, another critically injured
Munish Sood
Mandi: One person was *killed and over 20 injured as a private bus carrying nearly 30 passengers plunged into a gorge near Patrighat in the Sarkaghat subdivision of Mandi district in Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday (June 17, 2025) morning.
The driver of the bus, which was en route from Jahu to Mandi, reportedly lost control over the vehcile vehicle on a slippery and rain-soaked road and the bus fell nearly 20 metres into a ravine, stopping in a precarious position over a deep gorge.
The region has been experiencing heavy monsoon rainfall, which is believed to have contributed to the mishap and also hampered the rescue operations.
The local authorities launched an immediate rescue operation, but persistent rain and difficult terrain posed a challenge. A crane had to be deployed at the scene to lift the overturned bus and retrieve victims trapped underneath.
During the operation, rescue personnel discovered two persons trapped under the vehicle. One of them was found dead on the spot. The identity of the deceased is yet to be confirmed.
Another victim, found trapped inside the bus, suffered severe leg injuries, with both legs reportedly fractured. The injured person was rushed to the Mandi Medical College.
Speaking to the media, the Sarkaghat DSP confirmed the fatality and said, “The rescue operation was extremely challenging due to rainfall. The crane was essential in removing the wreckage and reaching the trapped victims.”
The Himachal Pradesh Police, along with local administration and volunteers, worked in coordination to shift the injured to hospital. Authorities have urged people to exercise extreme caution while travelling in hilly areas, especially during the monsoon season when landslides and road accidents are more likely.
Sarkaghat MLA Dileep Thakur also reached the accident site and personally assisted in the rescue and relief efforts. He directed the local administration to ensure all possible assistance was provided to the injured without any delay.
