Five people killed, nine injured in road accident in HP

Shimla, Nov, 1 (UNI) Five people were killed and nine others injured when a private bus fell into a gorge after hitting a motor bike rider near Kandaghat in Solan district early this morning.

The deceased were identified as Bike rider Pritam Singh of Kangra district, and bus passengers Sunita (29) Pankaj (6) Kamlesh (42) and Meena (32). All the five persons died on the spot, police said.

Of the nine injured passengers admitted to Kandaghat Hospital, seven were stated to be serious. They were later reffered to Solan hospital.

The bus was on its way from Solan to Chail.

The administration has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10,000 each for the family of the deceased and Rs 5,000 for the injured as immediate relief, said Additional Deputy Commissionar.

Himachal Pradesh Governor V S Kokje and Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh have expressed grief over the deaths and prayed for the early recovery for the injured.

UNI