Udhampur: Four persons, including a CRPF jawan, were killed and a woman injured when a bus rammed into a parked load carrier and a motorcycle in Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, officials said.
The accident occurred near the Jakhani–Chenani area on the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway around 11 am. Officials said the bus, travelling from Doda to Jammu, lost control and first hit a motorcycle before colliding with a load carrier that was parked on the roadside for repairs.
The mechanic repairing the vehicle and the load carrier driver died on the spot. Two passengers travelling in the bus were reportedly thrown out through an emergency window and succumbed to their injuries while being shifted to hospital, officials added.
The deceased have been identified as Sanjeev Kumar, a mechanic from Udhampur; Rayes Ahmad of Badgam; and Mukesh Prajapati, a CRPF jawan posted in Kishtwar, who was on his way to his native place in Madhya Pradesh on leave.
A woman passenger, identified as Bimla Devi, sustained injuries in the accident and has been admitted to Government Medical College Hospital, Udhampur. Her condition was stated to be stable.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed grief over the loss of lives. In a condolence message, the Lieutenant Governor said he was deeply pained by the tragic accident and extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, while praying for the speedy recovery of the injured. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also conveyed his condolences and wished strength to the affected families in this hour of grief.
Meanwhile, Jammu Police, as part of a drive to curb traffic violations, registered a case after an overloaded mini-bus was found being driven in a rash and negligent manner in the Jhajjar Kotli area. A police spokesman said the vehicle was violating traffic norms and posed a serious threat to passengers and other road users.
