• Source:JND

A major accident occurred on Tuesday morning near the Shilapani Bend when a bus tire hit a roadside pothole, causing sudden steering failure. The passenger bus, belonging to the Kumaon Motor Owners Union (KMOU) Limited and bound for Ramnagar, lost control and plunged into a deep gorge. Seven passengers lost their lives in this tragic accident, while 12 others were injured. The incident has caused panic throughout the region.

Cause Of Accident 

The KMOU bus (number UK 07 PA 4025) had departed from Nobada in Dwarahat for Ramnagar at around 6:00 am. At approximately 8:00 am, it fell into the Sirkon Gadhera (ravine), about 700 meters from the Shilapani Bend. Due to the poor condition of the road at the turn, the bus tire slipped into a pothole on the edge. Consequently, the steering failed, the driver lost control, and the vehicle plummeted directly into a 100-foot-deep gorge. The impact was so severe that six passengers died on the spot, while one injured victim succumbed to injuries during treatment at the hospital.

Challenges In Rescue Operations

Upon receiving the information, police, administration, and disaster management teams rushed to the scene. Rescue operations faced difficulties due to the depth of the gorge. However, with the assistance of local villagers, the operation was carried out on a war footing. All injured passengers were admitted to the Community Health Center (CHC).

- Two critically injured patients, Nanda Ballabh and Hansi Devi, were airlifted.

- Two others, Nandi Devi and Rakesh Kumar, were referred to a higher center in Ramnagar.

- Post-mortem examinations of the deceased are being conducted at the Bhikiyasain Community Health Center.

MLAs And Officials

Reach the Spot Upon hearing of the incident, Ranikhet MLA Pramod Nainwal and Salt MLA Mahesh Jeena arrived at the scene. They assisted in getting the injured to the hospital and arranging referrals. They also spoke with Health Minister Dhan Singh Rawat to arrange for the airlifting of critically injured patients. District Magistrate Anshul Singh and SSP Devendra Pincha also arrived, inspected the accident site, and inquired about the condition of the injured.

"A Loud Noise, Then The Bus Fell"

Jitendra Rikhadi, who was injured in the accident, stated that the tire went into a pothole, followed by a loud noise, after which the vehicle fell straight into the ravine.

The bus driver, Naveen Chand Tiwari, explained that a tire on one side went into a pothole, causing the steering to lock or fail. Due to the narrow space and the absence of a crash barrier, the bus fell into the gorge.

List Of Deceased

75-year-old Parvati Devi, wife of Govind Ballabh Mathpal, resident of Village Dharwali, Vinayak Jamoli.

80-year-old Govind Ballabh Mathpal, resident of the above address.

50-old-year Tara Devi, wife of Mahesh Chandra, resident of Pali Daula Vinayak, Bhikiyasain.

65-year-old Narendra Singh Subedar, son of Gopal Singh, resident of Village Jamoli, Vinayak Bhikiyasain.

20-year-old Ganesh, son of Bhim Bahadur, resident of Nepal.

18-year-old Umesh, son of unknown, resident of Nepal.

58-year-old Govindi Devi, Village Ghughuti, Police Station Dwarahat.

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List Of Injured

50-year-old Nanda Ballabh, son of Sadanand, resident of Naubada.

55-year-old Rakesh Kumar, son of Mahavir Prasad, resident of GIC Dwarahat.

40-year-old Nandi Devi, wife of Devendra Singh, resident of Naugad.

36-year-old Hansi Sati, wife of Rakesh Chandra, resident of Singoli.

16-year-old Mohit Sati, resident of Naughar.

58-year-old Buddhi Ballabh Bhagat, resident of Jamoli.

62-year-old Harish Chandra, resident of Pali.

64-year-old Bhupendra Singh Adhikari, resident of Jamoli.

37-year-old Jitendra Rekhadi, resident of Chitayanak.

55-year-old Naveen Chandra, son of Durgadatt Tiwari (Driver).

17-year-old Himanshu Paliwal, son of Mahesh Chandra Paliyal.

43-year-old Prakash Chandra, son of Ramdatt, resident of Chachroti, Salt.

Official Statement

Almora District Magistrate Anshul Singh saud,"All those injured in the accident have been rescued. Some have been referred and airlifted to Rishikesh. The entire incident will be investigated to ascertain the causes."

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