7 killed as SUV plunges into gorge in Himachal’s Chamba
Seven persons, including three brothers, were killed in a road accident in Chamba district when an SUV plunged into a 500-metre deep gorge near Chhatrund on the Masroond-Hamal road in Churah subdivision of Chamba in the early hours of Thursday.
The accident occurred when the victims were returning to their native Mahal village under Kuthed gram panchayat after attending a religious ceremony and community feast at the nearby Kakrotha village.
The deceased have been identified as Chunni Lal (65), Devi Lal (62), Moti Ram (53), Babli Devi (45), Kunta Devi (53), Anita Kumari (20), all residents of Mahal village, and driver Manohar Lal (34) of Jhulara village.
According to preliminary reports, the SUV went out of the driver’s control near Chhatrund and rolled down a steep gorge. The impact of the crash was so severe that the vehicle was completely mangled. All seven occupants suffered fatal injuries. Six died on the spot, while one succumbed during rescue efforts.
After receiving information about the accident, police, administrative officials and local residents rushed to the site. Rescue operations proved challenging due to the dark, difficult terrain and the depth of the gorge. Villagers played a crucial role by descending into the gorge and assisting authorities in retrieving the bodies.
Local residents alleged that the accident-prone stretch lacks crash barriers despite the presence of a steep drop along the roadside.
Superintendent of Police Chamba Vijay Kumar Saklani said a police team was dispatched immediately after the accident was reported. He said rescue and relief operations were carried out promptly and an investigation was under way.
