Four killed, 51 injured in Doda bus accident

JAMMU - Four persons were killed and 51 seriously injured when a mini-bus skidded off the road and fell into a 250-feet deep gorge near Doda District on Friday on its way from Bhaderwah to Doda.

The mishap took place at Pranu village nearly 25 kms from Bhaderwah.

The main cause of the accident was overloading. Bus having capacity of 16 + 1 passengers was carrying 51 passengers. Bus lost control due to overloading and fell into the gorge.

Thirty-eight injured were admitted to the Sub District hospital Doda and 12 patients whose condition was serious were air lifted to the medical college at Jammu.

Jammu legislator Naresh Gupta while expressing grief said: “It was really a bad day. Today morning, a matador coming from Bhaderwah, which was going towards Doda, met with an accident near Pranu. I am saying this with grief that a matador having capacity of only 16-17 passengers, in that 51 people were traveling.”

While giving details of the casualties he said: “Three people died on spot and one died in district hospital Doda and twelve passengers who are seriously injured are shifted to Medical College here. Medical College staff is providing possible treatment to the injured passengers.”

While condemning the traffic police, he further added: “I want to say that this raises question mark on traffic police that matador which has capacity of 17 passengers is accommodating 51 people how come. The town where accident took place was 25 kms from Bhaderwah and matador crossed 25 check posts even then no traffic check was there. I demand action against traffic police neglecting their duties.”

These kinds of accidents are common on this road and in future to avoid these incidents traffic police needs to be alert. By Taheer Nadeem Khan (ANI)