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| 26 dead; Painthal mishaps takes June toll to 97 | | In 24 days of June, 97 killed, 350 injured in road accidents –let state government calculate the daily killing average on roads. | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Jun 24: In yet another ghastly road accident, which is more or less a regular feature on hilly roads of Jammu region, at least 26 passengers were killed and 47 others injured today when a private transport bus skidded off the road at Panthal, about 50 kms from here on Katra-Udhampur road.
As a customary practice, dignitaries ranging from the Governor and Chief Minister to the legislators and sundry politicians have expressed their ‘anguish’ and ‘strongly’ condoled the killing of 25 persons and ‘expressed their sympathies’ with the bereaved families. Hundreds of such statements pour in but the state government is yet to come up with any comprehensive plan to make journey in hilly roads safer.
With today’s accident, the death toll in various road accidents across Jammu and Kashmir since June 1 has reached 97 –meaning a daily average of nearly four persons killed in accidents. Over 350 persons have been reported injured in 20 odd accidents in past 24 days.
Police sources said the overcrowded bus, with some passengers also sitting on its roof and hanging with its ladder, was on its way from Shri Mata Vaishnodevi base town of Katra to Udhampur when it rolled down into a deep gorge at Panthal in Reasi district at 0710 hrs.
''Twenty-five passengers, including women, have lost their lives in the accident while 47 were injured,'' the PCR said. According to eyewitnesses, the driver had lost control of the bus while negotiating a curve and the vehicle rolled down into a gorge.
Locals rushed to the spot to rescue the victims while police was also informed about the incident. Nearby army unit also joined police and public in the rescue operation.
In a 42 seater passenger bus bearing regsitration no. JK02E -7525 more than 70 passengers were travelling at the time of the accident, eyewitness said. Deceased included large number of employees and families returning from Mata Vaishnodevi shrine after performing the holy darshan.
The injured with critical head injuries were rushed to the Government medical college hospital where condition of over half a dozen was stated to be critical.
According to police, accident occurred at 0710 am just 8 kms from Katra when driver of the bus failed to negotiate a sharp curve after another vehicle driver guided him to negotiate the curve. The bus which was jam packed tilted on one side and rolled down the deep gorge resulting into atleast 18 deaths on the spot.
Others succumbed to their injuries while they were being shifted to the hospital, police said. Immediately after the bus rolled down the hilly road large number of local residents rushed to the spot and started rescue operations with the assistance of local police and district administration.
The angry local residents in Panthal area also staged a protest demonstration after they learnt that the Primary Health Centre was found locked when few of the injured were rushed there for immediate medical care
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