Tragic Gorge Crash Claims Four Lives in Kangra
Four young men died and one remains critically injured after their car fell into a deep gorge in Kangra district. The horrific accident occurred late Monday night in the Baijnath area.
Friends Returning from Sightseeing Trip
The victims were close friends returning home after a sightseeing excursion. Their vehicle plunged approximately one thousand feet into the gorge near Sokru village.
Police report the crash happened on the under-construction Utrala-Holi road, about sixty kilometers from Kangra. The driver apparently lost control of the car.
"We found clear tyre skid marks on the road surface," said a police officer involved in the investigation. "This indicates sudden braking occurred just before the vehicle went over the edge."
Rescue Efforts and Fatalities
Other motorists witnessed the accident and immediately alerted authorities. Local residents joined police personnel in rescue operations at the remote site.
Three men died instantly at the scene:
- Shivank Sood, 36, a professional photographer from Paprola
- Arun Mehra, 24, also from Paprola
- Rohit, 24, from Utrala
Sumit, 23, from nearby Fatahár suffered grave injuries. Rescuers transported him to Paprola hospital where he later succumbed to his wounds during treatment.
Lone Survivor in Critical Condition
The sole survivor, 27-year-old Raman from Utrala, was first taken to Baijnath government hospital. Doctors, seeing his precarious condition, referred him to Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College and Hospital in Tanda.
This facility lies approximately one hundred sixty kilometers from the accident site. Raman continues to fight for his life under intensive care.
Police Investigation Underway
Kangra ASP Bir Bahadur confirmed that police have registered a formal case. Investigators are working to determine the exact cause of this tragic accident.
"We are examining all factors including road conditions, vehicle mechanical issues, and driver error," the ASP stated.
Alarming Road Safety Record in Himachal
This tragedy adds to a disturbing pattern of fatal accidents in Himachal Pradesh this month. In less than two weeks, road crashes have claimed twenty-one lives across the state.
On January 12 alone, six people died in separate incidents:
- Three fatalities in two accidents in Sundernagar area of Mandi district
- Two men died when their car plunged into the Satluj river
- An elderly woman died and four others were injured after a private bus rolled into a gorge
Just three days earlier on January 9, fourteen people perished when a private bus fell into a gorge near Haripurdhar in Sirmaur district.
The new year began tragically as well. In the early hours of January 1, four individuals including three women died in a road accident near Kullu town.
These consecutive tragedies highlight serious concerns about mountain road safety in Himachal Pradesh. Authorities face increasing pressure to improve infrastructure and enforcement measures.
