Excelsior Correspondent
KATRA, Oct 14: Three Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrims from Odisha among four persons were killed in a tragic road accident near here this morning.
The accident took place near Serli village in Katra at 9:45 AM when the auto-rickshaw carrying four pilgrims from Serli Helipad collided head-on with a passenger bus coming from the opposite direction.
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Auto driver and two pilgrims reportedly died on the spot while another female pilgrim succumbed to her injuries during treatment at Government Medical College (GMC) Hospital Jammu.
According to police, the auto-rickshaw, bearing registration number JK14C- 9518 was coming from helipad side towards Katra and the passenger bus (JK02AQ 5353) was on way from Katra to Udhampur when the collision took place, resulting into on the spot death of two pilgrims and the auto driver.
The injured were rushed to nearby health centre and later referred to GMC Jammu in view of their serious condition. During treatment at GMC Jammu, one of them succumbed to her injuries. Click here to watch video
The deceased were identified as Jeet Lal, age 50 years (driver of the auto), son of Munshi Ram, resident of Udhampur; Bichitra Kumar (67), Jogindra Mahari (66) and Kabita Sahu (58 years), who died at GMC Jammu. All of them were residents of Subarnapur, Odisha.
The injured, identified as Snehalata Mahari (56), resident of Subarnagar, Odisha, is undergoing treatment at GMC Jammu and her condition was stated to be stable. At the time of accident, the three-seater auto was carrying four pilgrims, who were on way to Katra from helipad after performing Darshan at Mata Vaishno Devi cave shrine.
Police have taken cognizance of the matter and registered a case in this connection besides initiating further legal formalities.
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