6 teachers among 8 dead as jeep falls in gorge of Chamoli district

DEHRADUN: In yet another major mishap on hill roads, a jeep fell into a deep gorge on the Chamoli-Laasi road killing eight, including six school teachers, on Thursday afternoon. Besides, the condition of five others seated in the jeep was said to be critical and they have been brought to Dehradun for treatment.
ADG Administration Ram Singh Meena told TOI, “It was an extremely unfortunate mishap because the jeep fell into the deep gorge after one of its rear wheel came out.” He pointed out that the celebrations turned into mourning and after three hour operation, the police teams were successful in bringing out the bodies.
The eight dead have been identified as Chandrakanta Kunwar, Anita Paletha, Rakesh Lal, Anusuya Aswal, Meena Kaniyal, Ranjana Lal, Anita Sendwal and Vimla Kunwar. The condition of five other passengers seated in the vehicle – Ranji Aswal, Mukesh Singh, Gopal Saxena, Vijaya Rawat and Sonu Singh remains critical. “The five been brought to Dehradun for treatment,” added the police officer.
Most of the passengers were teachers in different primary schools of the Chamoli district. “They took this vehicle to come to the school and back. After the school got over, the group was returning to their respective residences in the district. Near Majothi on the Lassi-Chamoli route, driver Rakesh Lal lost control of the vehicle as the one of the rear tyres came out. Before he could control the vehicle, it fell in a deep gorge,” said Meena.
CM Harish Rawat expressed grief over the road mishap and instructed the district authorities to ensure best possible medical attention to the injured and provide the compensation to the family members of the deceased.
The accident come close on the heels of two major road mishaps in Uttarakhand on Wednesday in which nine people were killed in Almora district and five in Uttarkashi. The list of deceased included French national Martin Burno Georges.
Uttarkashi toll now 5
The toll in the road mishap at Uttarkashi has gone up to five. On Thursday morning, Delhi resident Rajeshwari Jha expired during treatment at Doon hospital of Dehradun. Her husband Devanand Jha had died on the spot. A jeep had fallen in a gorge on Yamunotri route on Wednesday afternoon. Hukum Singh (Chamoli) and Naveen Kumar from Uttarkashi district were the two others killed in the mishap.