Jammu, Dec 08: Thirteen people, including four women and a minor, were killed and 17 others injured Saturday when a passenger bus skidded off a road and rolled down into a deep gorge in Poonch district, 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-meter deep gorge, a police official said.
He said 13 people were killed while 17 others were injured in the accident.
Six persons were found dead on the spot and five more succumbed to injuries while being evacuated from the scene, the officer said, adding that two more succumbed to injuries at a local hospital.
He said condition of four of the injured persons was stated to be critical and are being airlifted to the Government Medical College Hospital, Jammu for specialised treatment.
Governor Satya Pal Malik 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 also wished speedy recovery to those injured in the accident.
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.
Meanwhile, in another accident, an officer said 19 passengers were injured, six of them critically, when a bus rolled down into gorge at Chilla Danga in Samba district.
The critically injured persons were referred to the GMC hospital Jammu, he said.
Meanwhile, National Conference, Peoples Conference, Congress and PDP have expressed grave concern over the accident expressing solidarity with the bereaved.
