Tragedy in Poonch: Two Dead, 42 Injured as Bus Plunges Into Gorge in Mendhar

 Tragedy in Poonch: Two Dead, 42 Injured as Bus Plunges Into Gorge in Mendhar

Aamir Ahmad Malik 

Jammu, May 6 (APN): A tragic road accident claimed two lives and left 42 others injured on Tuesday morning when a passenger bus skidded off the road and rolled down a steep gorge in the Ghani area of Mendhar, located in the border district of Poonch, Jammu and Kashmir.

According to official sources, the ill-fated bus, bearing registration number JK02X-1671, was on its way from Ghani to Mendhar when the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle on a curved stretch of road. The bus veered off the path and tumbled into a deep ravine, resulting in chaos and devastation.

The impact of the accident was so severe that two passengers died on the spot due to fatal injuries. Emergency services, including teams from the local police, Indian Army, and civilians, promptly arrived at the scene and launched a large-scale rescue operation. The injured were pulled from the wreckage and rushed to the Sub-District Hospital (SDH) in Mendhar for immediate medical attention.

Block Medical Officer (BMO) Mendhar, Dr. Ashfaq Ahmad, confirmed to GNS that 44 injured passengers were brought to the hospital, two of whom were declared dead on arrival. He further stated that five individuals, who sustained critical injuries, have been referred to Government Medical College (GMC) Rajouri for specialized treatment.

The identities of the deceased and critically injured are being ascertained. Authorities have initiated an investigation into the cause of the accident, with preliminary reports suggesting over-speeding or mechanical failure as potential factors.

The tragic incident has cast a pall of gloom over the region, with locals expressing grief and concern over the frequency of road accidents in the hilly terrains of Poonch. Many have called for better road safety measures and stricter enforcement of traffic regulations to prevent such mishaps in the future.

Police have taken cognizance of the matter and a case has been registered. Further details are awaited as the investigation continues.