In a tragic accident, at least 11 people were killed and nine injured when an overcrowded multi-utility vehicle skidded off the road and fell into a gorge at Timbi village near Paonta Sahib of Sirmaur district.
The injured were admitted to the Civil Hospital in Paonta Sahib. Some of the injured have been referred to Chandigarh’s Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER). The bodies were handed over to the kin of the deceased after post-mortem examination.
Those killed were identified as Kanwar Singh (42) and his wife Kamla Devi (32) of Bhambal village, Naresh (37), Kapil (17), Nima Devi (17), Dhanvir (35) and Hira Singh (50) of Kiari village, Kalyan (45) of Bashog village, Bhup Singh (47) of Kufu village, Dhongu Ram (47) of Pou Gunda village and Balero driver Baldev (28) of Timbi village.
Sirmaur Deputy Commissioner Padam Singh Chauhan and Paonta Sahib Subdivisional Magistrate Tashi Sandup reached the spot along with a team of doctors and paramedical staff.
The district administration extended immediate relief of Rs 15,000 each to the next of kin of those killed and Rs 3,000 each to the injured. A case was registered under Sections 279, 304-A, 337 and 338 of the Indian Penal Code for causing death by rash and negligent driving.
Governor Urmila Singh and Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal have expressed grief over the death of 11 persons. In his condolence message Chief Minister prayed to the Almighty to give peace to departed soul and strength to the bereaved family members to bear the irreparable loss.
He directed the District Administration to provide all possible help to the kin of the deceased and provide relief to them as per the relief manual.
