Tourist killed as SUV crashes into under-construction bridge near Atal Tunnel
One tourist died, and three others sustained injuries when the Scorpio they were travelling in crashed near the north portal of the Atal Tunnel in
One tourist died, and three others sustained injuries when the Scorpio they were travelling in crashed near the north portal of the Atal Tunnel in Himachal Pradesh, police said. The incident took place at around 9 pm on Tuesday. Preliminary findings suggest that the accident may have been caused by speeding. The driver allegedly lost control of the SUV as soon as it exited the tunnel. The vehicle then broke through the roadside barricades before veering off and plunging towards an under-construction bridge below.
Read Full Story The impact of the crash was so severe that iron bars protruding from the unfinished structure pierced into the vehicle, leaving it mangled. Videos from the site of the incident have surfaced on social media. The deceased has been identified as 34-year-old Kailash, a resident of Rajasthan. His body has been sent for post-mortem examination. The three tourists who escaped with injuries have been identified as residents of Uttar Pradesh. According to the police, the group was travelling from Manali to Lahaul when the accident occurred.
Upon receiving information about the incident, teams from the police, fire department, and local administration rushed to the spot. Since the vehicle was severely trapped, the rescue operation proved challenging. After considerable effort, firefighters and police personnel managed to rescue the injured from the wreckage and rush them to a nearby hospital. While speeding appears to be the primary cause of the accident, the police said they will investigate the case from all possible angles. The flow of tourist vehicles passing through the Atal Tunnel has been increasing steadily.
In view of this, the police and local administration have repeatedly urged drivers to adhere to the prescribed speed limits and drive cautiously on mountainous roads. Despite these warnings, accidents caused by negligent driving continue to occur on the stretch. Ends (With inputs from Manminder Arora and PTI)
The BriefWire