Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU/SRINAGAR, July 18: In a tragic road accident, a Scorpio carrying six Buddhists from `Kalchakra’ ceremony in Leh to Zanskar in Kargil district, fell into river Suroo at Tangol under the jurisdiction of Panikhar police post, about 60 kilometers from Kargil, killing all seven persons on spot.
SSP Kargil Sujit Kumar told the Excelsior on telephone from Kargil that Scorpio bearing registration number 7845 PB65T was being driven by Tundup Dorjay, a resident of village RukRuk, Zanskar on way from `Kalchakra’ ceremony in Leh to Zanskar when the driver suddenly had a nap and the vehicle hit a mountain before rolling down into Suroo river killing all seven persons travelling in the vehicle on spot.
Kumar said teams of local police, Disaster Relief Force and local people rushed to the spot and started rescue operation.
The police and local divers were also pressed into service and they have succeeded in fishing out five bodies so far from the river. The bodies have been kept in the local hospital.
Five deceased have been identified as Ex-serviceman Lobzang Tsetan (48), son of Stanzin Wangyal and Stanzin Nima (9), son of Lobzang Tsetan, both residents of Langmi Zanaskar, Sonam Dorjey (38), son of Tundup Chosphel, Angmo (35), wife of Sonam Dorjey and Stanzin Daisal (9), daughter of Sonam Dorjay, trio residents of Pipiting Zanskar.
Kumar said the driver reportedly went asleep while driving the vehicle. As a result, the Sumo crashed against a mountain and then fell into Suroo river resulting into death of all seven persons travelling in it including driver of the vehicle.
All of them were Buddhists from Zanskar, who had gone to Leh to attend `Kalchakra’ ceremony and were returning to their houses.
Kumar said police teams were on the job to fish out two remaining bodies at the earliest.
A case has been registered in the accident for further investigations.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has expressed deep grief over the loss of lives in a road accident near Panikhar in Kargil district.
In a condolence message to the bereaved families, the Chief Minister conveyed his sympathy and prayed for peace to the departed souls. He directed the administration to ensure recovery of all bodies immediately and handover them to their family members after completion of legal formalities.
In the meantime, a truck bearing registration number JK10/2073 met with an accident at Changla, Kargil, resulting in on spot death of the truck driver Rinchen Nagmail son of Nawan Stnain, a resident of Bodhkharboo , Kargil.
A tipper bearing registration number JK013C/1211 hit and injured a pedestrian Mohammad Iqbal Shah of Chanser in Kulgam today. The injured has been shifted to a hospital where doctors declared him brought dead.
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