A bus of pilgrims returning from the Mata Vaishno Devi temple in Katra, Jammu, slipped from the road to a 30 -foot deep ditch on Saturday evening, killing a driver from Himachal Pradesh and injuring 17 pilgrims.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed grief over the incident and appreciated the efforts of the rescue teams and officials. Officials said that the registration number of the bus is the UK-07 PA-5640 and it was going to Delhi.
He said that the accident occurred near Manda, about eight kilometers from Jammu bus stand. He said that when a turn came, the driver lost control of the bus, causing the vehicle to fall into the ditch.
Officials said a rescue operation was started on the spot soon after receiving the information. He said that 17 injured people have been admitted to the Government Medical College Hospital and their condition is said to be ‘stable’.
Officials said that the bus driver died on the spot and later a joint team of police, state disaster redemption force (SDRF), traffic police and fire and emergency service personnel for more than two hours from the spot after hard work. The driver of the driver was recovered.
He said that the deceased has been identified as Rakesh. His body has been kept in the mortuary of GMC Hospital for post -mortem. Officials said that the pilgrims injured in this accident are from Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh.
The Chief Minister expressed condolences to the family of the driver and wished the injured to get well soon. He said in a post on the social media forum ‘X’, “I am very sad about the bus accident in Manda. I have condolences to the family of the driver who lost his life in this sad incident. ”
Abdullah said, “Thankfully, the condition of all the injured is stable and their treatment is going on. I wish him to get well soon. “He said,” Thank you for quick cooperation and commendable efforts of the rescue teams and officials. My office is in touch with the officials concerned.