Srinagar/Bhaderwah: Three officials died and one more was critically injured when their vehicle skidded off a road and plunged into a deep gorge in Doda district on Monday, police said.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed grief over the accident and directed the district administration to provide all possible assistance to the injured.
The vehicle was carrying a team of the Roads and Buildings (R&B) department when it met with the accident near Assar on the Batote-Kishtwar national highway around 10.45 am, police said.
Officials said the vehicle rolled down 200 metres into the gorge, resulting in the death of Executive Engineer Rafiq Shah of Poonch, Assistant Executive Engineering Kamal Kishore Sharma of Udhampur and driver Mohammad Hafeez of Doda.
Superintending Engineer Suresh Kumar was critically injured in the accident and was shifted to a hospital, they said.
Police said preliminary investigations suggested that the accident occurred due to low visibility because of foggy conditions and heavy rainfall.
“Pained by the loss of lives due to an accident in Doda. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon. Directed the district administration to provide all possible assistance,” LG Manoj Sinha wrote on Twitter.
Block Medical Officer (BMO), Assar, Dr Tanveer Ahmad said the injured official is being referred to Government Medical College Hospital Jammu for specialised treatment.
“Kumar was brought to the hospital along with three bodies. The postmortem of the deceased is underway and the bodies will be handed over to their families for last rites after completion of the necessary formalities,” he said.
The BMO said Kumar’s condition is stable but he would be referred to GMC Hospital Jammu for further treatment as the CT scan facility is not available here while the road leading to GMC Doda is blocked due to a landslide.
Advisor to LG, Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar condoled the sad demise of officials of R&B department.
While expressing his condolences, Advisor Bhatnagar said that the officials were dedicated towards their works and performed their duties diligently and honestly.
He expressed deep sympathies with the bereaved families and prayed for eternal peace to the departed souls, and speedy recovery of the Superintending Engineer. He directed the health authorities to provide best possible medical treatment to the injured officer.
Chief Secretary, Dr Arun Kumar Mehta also expressed shock at the untimely, accidental death of senior engineers and a driver in a road mishap.
In his condolence message, Dr Mehta remarked that it was a matter of great sorrow and disbelief and all the officers have felt shocked at the unfortunate death of Executive Engineer, Rafiq Shah, Assistant Executive Engineer, Kamal Kishore Sharma and their driver Mohammed Hafeez.
He conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and said that every possible assistance shall be provided to the bereaved family.
He also wished speedy recovery to the Superintending Engineer, Suresh Kumar who sustained serious injuries in the accident.
He prayed to the Almighty for the eternal peace of the departed souls.
National Conference president and Member Parliament Dr. Farooq Abdullah also expressed grief and anguish over the death of three officials of the R&B department in the road accident.
