CHAMBA: In a heart-wrenching incident in the Bhattiyat subdivision of Himachal Pradesh, six people were killed and four others critically injured when their Toyota Innova Crysta plunged into a deep gorge near Kakira. The accident occurred in the early hours of Monday, between 2:30 AM and 3:00 AM, as the group was traveling from Manali toward Dalhousie.
The victims have been identified as residents of the Ghogha Circle area in Bhavnagar, Gujarat. The deceased include Lalitbhai Patnani and his wife Mamtaben, along with Priyank Kanhaiya Lal Bhopani, his wife Kajal, and their young son, Diyansh. The vehicle’s driver, Jaswant Kumar, a resident of Jogindernagar in Mandi district, also died on the spot.
Rescue Operations Hampered by Torrential Rain
Preliminary reports suggest that the region was experiencing torrential rainfall at the time of the mishap. The wet road conditions and dense fog significantly reduced visibility, which is believed to be the primary cause of the vehicle (registration number HP 01M-2961) losing control.
The impact of the crash was so severe that the SUV was completely mangled. Local police and rescue teams had to use specialized equipment to cut through the vehicle’s wreckage to retrieve the bodies and rescue survivors. The sound of the crash alerted locals, who were the first to reach the site and assist the authorities in the difficult terrain.
Condition of Survivors Remains Critical
Four passengers survived the fall but sustained life-threatening injuries. They were initially rushed to the Civil Hospital in Chuvari for emergency stabilization. Given their deteriorating condition, they were later referred to Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College (Tanda) in Kangra for advanced medical care.
The injured survivors include Mayank Lalitbhai Patnani, his wife Foramben, their three-year-old son Jiyansh, and Priyank Bhopani’s three-year-old daughter, Priyanshi. Medical officials at Tanda have stated that the survivors are under constant observation, with some suffering from multiple fractures and internal trauma.
State Leadership Expresses Grief
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed his deepest condolences to the bereaved families. He has directed the Chamba district administration to ensure that the injured receive the best possible medical treatment and to provide all necessary logistical support to the families of the deceased.
Governor Kavinder Gupta also shared a message of grief, praying for the departed souls and the speedy recovery of the children and adults fighting for their lives. The news has cast a pall of gloom over the victims’ hometown in Gujarat, where relatives are preparing to receive the bodies after the completion of legal formalities.
Investigation Launched into Technical Lapse
Superintendent of Police (SP) Chamba, Vijay Kumar Saklani, confirmed that a formal case has been registered regarding the accident. While the primary investigation points toward inclement weather and slippery roads, the police are also examining potential technical failures in the vehicle.
“The police team reached the spot immediately after receiving information. We are investigating all technical aspects to understand why the driver lost control on that specific stretch,” SP Saklani stated. The administration has already notified the families in Bhavnagar and is coordinating the repatriation of the deceased.
