14 killed as bus rolls down gorge in J&K

Fourteen people, including four women and a minor, were killed and 16 others injured Saturday when a 42-seater passenger bus skidded off a road and rolled down into a deep gorge in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said.

The accident occurred at Plera in Mandi area when the driver of the bus, coming from Loran to Poonch, lost control over the vehicle while negotiating a curve and rolled down into a 100-metredeep gorge, a police officer said.

He said 14 people were killed while 16 others were injured.

Six people were found dead on the spot and five more succumbed to injuries while being evacuated from the scene, the officer said, adding, two more succumbed to injuries at a local hospital.

He said condition of four of the injured was critical and are being airlifted to the Government Medical College Hospital, Jammu for specialised treatment.

Governor Satya Pal Malik has expressed grief and anguish over the loss of precious lives in the tragic road accident. In his message, the governor has prayed for eternal peace to the departed souls and expressed sympathies with the bereaved families. He has wished speedy recovery to those injured in the accident.

Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) demanded a probe into the frequent accidents in the mountainous belts.

A special team of officials should be constituted to check the condition of old vehicles on roads, especially in hilly and far-flung areas, the JKPCC said in a statement here. It also demanded adequate compensation to the next of kin of the deceased and the injured.

JAMMU: