Three killed as ambulance falls into gorge in Punjab’s Hoshiarpur district

A tragic accident occurred in Punjab’s Hoshiarpur district on Saturday when an ambulance carrying a heart patient and his relatives rolled down a deep gorge. The incident happened near the Manguwal barrier on the road to Chintpurni, a route that is known for its sharp turns and accident-prone stretches. Police confirmed that three people lost their lives in the mishap while two others, including the driver, sustained serious injuries.

The ambulance was on its way from Tanda in Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district to Ludhiana, where the patient was being taken for advanced treatment. The deceased were identified as Onkar Chand, the patient, along with his two sons-in-law, Rakesh Kapoor and Sanjiv Kumar. All three belonged to Pathiyar village in Nagrota Bagwan tehsil of Kangra. The unfortunate incident not only claimed their lives but also left the family and villagers in shock.

The driver of the ambulance and another family member managed to survive but were critically injured. Both were rescued by locals and police and rushed to Hoshiarpur’s civil hospital before being shifted to a private facility for better care. Eyewitnesses said that the vehicle went out of control while negotiating a sharp bend. Within seconds, the ambulance plunged nearly 400 feet into the gorge, leaving little chance of survival for the patient and his relatives.

Rescue efforts and police response

Local residents played a key role in the rescue operation. As soon as people from nearby areas heard loud cries and the sound of the crash, they rushed to the spot and informed the police. According to Sadar police station house officer Madan Singh, villagers and police together pulled the injured out of the deep gorge. The efforts took several hours as the terrain was rough and dangerous. The injured were first taken to the civil hospital and then shifted to another facility due to their critical condition. Later, the bodies of the deceased were retrieved and sent for post-mortem.

Family members of the victims shared that the patient, Onkar Chand, had suffered a heart attack earlier and was initially admitted to Dr Rajendra Prasad Medical College in Tanda. Doctors there had referred him to the Dayanand Medical College and Hospital in Ludhiana for further treatment. Unfortunately, the journey meant to save his life turned fatal for him and his close relatives.

Relatives recalled that Onkar’s daughter-in-law Renu was also traveling with the group but survived the accident. His other family members are devastated, unable to come to terms with the sudden loss. Rakesh Kapoor’s sister Sarika expressed her grief, saying that their family was on the way to save Onkar’s life but instead had to face this unbearable tragedy.

The Manguwal barrier area has been identified as a dangerous spot due to the winding road and steep gorges on both sides. Local people say that accidents are not uncommon in this region and authorities need to take stronger measures to prevent such incidents. Safety barriers, better road signs, and stricter monitoring of vehicle movement could reduce risks on such treacherous stretches.

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Police officials have urged drivers, especially those operating emergency vehicles, to remain extra cautious on hill roads. They emphasized that while the ambulance was rushing to provide life-saving treatment, high speed on risky stretches can lead to fatal outcomes. The authorities may also carry out an inspection of the site to assess whether road conditions contributed to the crash.

The loss of three lives in this accident has left the community grieving. Villagers from Pathiyar and nearby areas gathered at the family homes to offer support and condolences. The tragedy serves as a grim reminder of the dangers of hilly terrains, especially when vehicles are speeding or carrying critical patients. The state government has also been urged to improve safety infrastructure in such zones to prevent more such heartbreaking incidents.