Kalimpong: April 17, 2012

A fatal accident today near Mali Lepcha Jhora at NH 31 A claimed lives of 5 people. The Mahindra Max vehicle bearing no SK 01/ J0578 plying from Darjeeling to Sikkim skidded off the road and fell 300 ft in the river Teesta.

The driver along with 5 other passengers survived but with major injuries. Among the deceased are Manika Rai (of 5th Mile Tadong), Manju Sherpa (of Rangpo), Prabhat Tamang (of Jala Pahaad), Uday Pradhan and Sarita Pradhan (both from Darjeeling).

The driver Sonam Yongden Bhutia has been admitted at the Melli Primary Health Centre whereas the rest injured namely Saili Tamang (of Rangpo), Rabita Rai (of Melli), Anushka Gurung (of Jal Dhaka) and Jai Bahadur Rai (of Mungsung) has been referred to Kalimpong Sub Divisional Hospital.

The dead bodies and the survivors were pulled out from the river by the help of the Teesta Rafting team. The major cause of the accident has not yet been detected and the case is still under investigation. (TS)

 

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