Rash, negligent driving reason behind mishap
Excelsior Correspondent
RAMBAN, July 2: Five persons including two members of a family and a Medical Assistant were killed while as many others were injured when the overloaded Tata Sumo, they were travelling in, rolled down into a deep gorge after colliding head on with another vehicle near Digdole on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway this evening.
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The ill-fated vehicle bearing registration number JK03E-3218 was on its way to Ramsoo from Ramban when it collided head on with another vehicle bearing registration number JK04G-0822. After collision, the Tata Sumo plunged into deep gorge near Digdole resulting into on the spot death of five persons including two members of a family and a Medical Assistant and injuries to as many.
On getting information, Ramban Police along with QRT, UTDRF and Army personnel rushed to the spot and started rescue operation. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ramban PD Nitya also rushed to the spot and supervised the rescue operation.
All the injured persons were rushed to District Hospital Ramban from where two injured persons were referred to Government Medical College and Hospital (GMHC) Jammu for specialised treatment. The condition of three injured persons admitted in District Hospital was stated to be out of danger.
The deceased were identified as Abdul Khadoos (62), son of Gul Mohammad of Zaradi Neel District Ramban, Jaswant Singh, son of Krishan Lal of Panthyal District Ramban, Naresh Kumar (60), son of Shanker Dass, a resident of District Udhampur, at present Magarkote Tehsil Ramsoo District Ramban, 56-years-old Mohammad Ayub Runyal (Medical Assistant posted at CHC Batote), son of Ghulam Mohammad Runyal of Maligam Pogal, at present Chadrog and Naseema (35), wife of Abid Hussain of Zaradi Neel District Ramban.
The injured were identified as Khadim Hussain (driver of Tata Sumo), son of Abdul Khadoos of Zaradi Neel, District Ramban, Asmeena (15), daughter of Muneer Hussain of Zaradi Neel District Ramban, Jeevan Singh (30), son of Shukhdev Singh of Panthyal, Naima Bano (16), daughter of Abid Hussan of Neel District Ramban and Sukhdev Singh (70), son of Krishan Lal of Pantiyal District Ramban.
The accident has brought to the fore that there was no check over the violation of the COVID-19 pandemic SOPs as the vehicle was carrying passengers more that directed by the authorities, sources said.
To contain the spread of COVID-19 pandemic, the District Administration Ramban had issued guidelines mentioning that vehicles will ply with 50 per cent seating capacity. However, the ill-fated Tata Sumo was carrying 10 persons including driver.
According to the injured, the ill-fated vehicle was being driven rashly and negligently as such it met with the accident.
However, police sources claimed that only investigation will reveal whether the vehicle was being driven rashly and negligently.
A case under relevant Sections has been registered at Police Station Ramban and investigation started.
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