22 killed in two accidents in Himachal Pradesh

Shimla: Twenty-two people were killed and over 20 injured when a state-run bus and a car fell into deep gorges in two separate accidents in Himachal Pradesh.

The mishap occured in Kinnaur and Shimla districts. In the first incident, the car in which 14 people were travelling rolled down into a 300-foot deep gorge near Bada Kamba on  Chaura Kamba link road in tribal Kinnaur district, police said.

They were returning late last night after leaving a newly wed at her in-laws' place. Twelve persons died on the spot in the accident and one succumbed to injuries on way to the hospital while the lone survivor jumped out of the falling vehicle, police said.

The brother of the bride and the vehicle's driver were among the deceased, they said. District administration officials reached the spot and all the bodies have been recovered. The vehicle was "overcrowded", police said, adding that an investigation is on.

In the second incident, the HPSTC bus was on its way to Tharoch from Chopal when it fell into a deep gorge near Bajroli Bridge in Theog sub division of Shimla district, police said, adding that nine persons, including the driver and conductor, were killed in the mishap.

Deputy Commissioner of Shimla, Rohan Thakur, said that four persons identified as Sukh Ram, Reena Devi, Promila and driver Parvinder died on the spot while five other succumbed to  injuries on their way to the hospital.

He also said that as many as 20 people who were admitted to a hospital in Theog have been referred to Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla. The district administration has given an immediate relief of Rs 50,000 to the families of the deceased. Police said they are trying to ascertain the cause of the accident.