Fourteen people, including the driver, died and 52 were injured when an overloaded private bus plunged 100 meters into a deep gorge near Haripur Dhar in Sirmaur district on Friday afternoon at 2:40 PM. The 37-seater Jeet Coach bus (HP-64-6667) traveling from Shimla to Kupvi was carrying 66 passengers when it skidded off the road, reportedly due to frost on the road surface.
The impact of the crash completely mangled the bus, with its roof and tires separating from the body. All the deceased are residents of Sirmaur and Shimla districts. Among the injured, 17 are undergoing treatment at Nahan Medical College, 18 at Rajgarh, 15 at Solan, while one patient each has been referred to PGI Chandigarh and IGMC Shimla.
According to police, the bus fell with a loud crash on Friday afternoon, its roof broke off and it overturned. Local residents who rushed to the spot lifted the bus body with their hands and pulled out the injured. Four people together carried each injured person and brought them up to the road. Some people single-handedly carried injured passengers on their backs. Cries and screams of the injured echoed all around.
The deceased have been identified as Sanam (20) daughter of Sant Ram (Pub, Shilai), Bilam Singh (44) son of Chhajju Ram (Judo Shilal, Kupvi), Himanshi (6) daughter of Ashish (Chanjah, Kupvi), Hima (50) wife of Sundar Singh (Dhaulat, Kupvi), bus driver Balbir Tomar (52) son of Mohar Singh (Dhang, Dadahu), Promila (21) daughter of Kripa Ram (Chanjah, Kupvi), Surat Singh (60) son of Shangru (Kanda Banah, Kupvi), Suman (28) daughter of Ran Singh (Dochi, Kupvi), Ramesh (35) son of Dei Singh (Bohra Kulag, Kupvi), Kiyan son of Bilam (Bora, Kupvi), Riyanshi daughter of Dilawar Singh (Bora), Mohan Singh (Chauras, Nauhradhar), Priyanka daughter of Dharam Singh (Panjah, Haripur Dhar), and one unidentified woman.
Sirmaur Deputy Commissioner Priyanka Verma and Superintendent of Police NS Negi reached the spot immediately after receiving information about the accident and reviewed relief operations. Industries Minister Harshwardhan Singh Chauhan visited Nahan Medical College to assess arrangements. Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri also reached the hospital.
The government has ordered an inquiry into the causes of the accident. The private bus was purchased in 2008 and its fitness certificate was due to expire next month. Its permit was valid until 2028.
SP Sirmaur Nishchint Singh Negi said that nine people died in the accident when a private bus going from Kupvi to Shimla fell off the road near Haripur Dhar in Sirmaur district. The death toll may rise. The bus was carrying 30-35 people. We are waiting for more information. I am going to the spot. Police and other rescue teams are trying to extricate the injured.
