Journalist among two killed in accident in HP

Mandi, Jun 21 (UNI) An Hindustan Times journalist was among two killed and another seriously injured in a road accident in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh last night, police today said.

The accident occurred at Rais Nullah on the Chandigarh-Manali National Highway last night after the vehicle they were traveling in, skidded off the road and fell into a gorge in the district.

Police said all the three people were on their way to attend the marriage of another journalist in Kullu district when the driver lost control over the vehicle and it rolled down into the gorge.

The dead have been identified as Vikas Panwar, who had recently joined as a staffer at Chandigarh after working in the Shimla edition of the newspaper for over two years, and Pawan Khimta, while the injured was identified as Abhijeet.

Police said they immediately began rescue and relief operations after they were informed of the accident by local people and tourists.

While one person was killed on the spot, the other died on way to the hospital, hospital sources and witnesses said.

The injured as been admitted to a government hospital in Kullu where his condition was stated to be serious.

Police said a case has been registered and investigations were on.

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