At least three people lost their lives and more than 12 others were injured after a passenger bus plunged into a deep gorge in Uttarakhand’s Dehradun district on Tuesday. The accident took place near Kuanu village on Meenak Road in the Kalsi region, close to Chakrata, officials said.
The bus, operated by Himachal Roadways, was carrying 36 passengers, including the driver and the conductor. It was travelling on its regular route from Nerwa in Himachal Pradesh to Paonta Sahib when the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle on a narrow hill road. The bus fell into a gorge nearly 100 metres deep, causing panic and devastation among passengers and locals.
Emergency services rushed to the spot after villagers alerted the police and administration. Rescue teams worked for several hours to pull out survivors and recover bodies from the steep slope.
According to officials, the accident occurred in the afternoon when the bus was negotiating a sharp turn on the hilly road. Passengers who survived the crash said a small vehicle attempted to overtake the bus on the narrow stretch. In an effort to avoid a collision, the bus driver lost control, and the vehicle veered off the road.
Dehradun district disaster management officer Rishabh Kumar said the bus rolled down into the gorge, making rescue efforts extremely challenging. The terrain was steep, and access to the accident site was difficult.
Local residents were the first to reach the scene after hearing a loud crash. Himmat Singh Rana, a resident of Kuanu village, said villagers rushed out of their homes after hearing a bang. “When we reached the road, we saw that the bus had fallen into the deep gorge. We immediately informed the police and started helping the injured as much as we could,” he said.
Soon after, teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police, and local administration reached the spot. Rescue teams were mobilised from Dakpathar, Chakrata, Mori, and Tyuni on the directions of SDRF commandant Arpan Yaduvanshi.
SDRF media in-charge Vinit Devrani said a coordinated rescue operation was launched with the help of locals. Ropes and stretchers were used to bring injured passengers up from the gorge. Ambulances were kept on standby to shift the injured to nearby hospitals.
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The injured passengers were first taken to nearby health centres and later referred to Vikas Nagar hospital for advanced treatment. Officials said that six to seven of the injured are in critical condition and are under close medical observation.
The deceased were identified as Yasmin Begum (46), a resident of village Kyarla in Nerwa, Himachal Pradesh; Richa (30), a resident of village Bijmal in Shimla district; Dhan Bahadur, also from village Kyarla in Nerwa; and Dinesh Kumar (54), the bus driver, who was a resident of village Popat in Shimla district. Authorities later confirmed that three passengers died on the spot, while the driver succumbed to injuries during rescue and treatment.
Police officials said a case has been registered, and an investigation has been started to find out the exact cause of the accident. Statements of survivors are being recorded, and the condition of the bus and road will also be examined.
Uttarakhand officials said accidents on hilly roads remain a major concern, especially during busy travel hours. Narrow roads, sharp turns, and reckless overtaking often lead to such tragic incidents. Authorities have once again appealed to drivers to follow traffic rules strictly and exercise caution while driving in mountainous areas.
The accident has cast a shadow of grief over both Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, as most of the passengers were residents of Himachal. Families of the victims have been informed, and arrangements are being made to hand over the bodies after post-mortem examinations.
Local leaders and officials expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. They also praised the quick response of villagers and rescue teams, saying their timely action helped save several lives.
As the investigation continues, the incident serves as a grim reminder of the risks associated with travel on hill roads and the urgent need for better safety measures, stricter enforcement, and improved road infrastructure in mountainous regions.
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