Five die in road accident in Kinnuar

Shimla, Apr 26 (UNI) At least five people were killed and one was seriously injured after their jeep rolled down a gorge in Kinnuar district of Himachal Pradesh last evening, police said today.

While three people died on the spot, two succumbed to their injuries on the way to a government hospital at Rekong Peo, Kinnuar district's headquarter after the accident, which occurred near Sapni, about 225 km from here, on the Karcham-Sapni link road at about 1945 hrs last evening.

The police said one of the seriously injured, identified as Vijender, 25, has been referred to Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMC) here after being provided first aid at a government hospital at Rekong Peo.

The cause of the accident was, however, not immediately known, the police said and added that investigations were on to ascertain the reason. SDM Raman Sharma rushed to the accident site to supervise relief and rescue operations, which continued until late last night after the vehicle fell into a 150-foot gorge.

He also announced an immediate cash relief of Rs 5,000 each to the next of kin of the dead and Rs 15,000 each to the injured.

The dead have been identified as driver Kewal Ram, 35, Nand Kumar, 40, Ami Chand, 45, Sher Singh, 55, and Surat Lal, 48.

A case has been registered, police added.

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