Uttarakhand bus accident: 1 more injured passenger succumbs; death toll now 5 | Dehradun News

The accident occurred when the driver swerved to avoid a car, plunging the bus into a gorge. Survivors have described the terrifying incident. Financial assistance has been announced for the victims’ families.

NEW DELHI: The death toll in the bus accident near Bhimtal in Uttarakhand has increased to five after one of the critically injured passengers succumbed to their injuries.
The accident occurred on Wednesday when an Uttarakhand Roadways bus, traveling from Pithoragarh to Haldwani, plunged into a 300-meter-deep gorge near Amdali on the Bhimtal-Ranibagh road.
The driver reportedly swerved to avoid a collision with an oncoming car, which caused the bus to lose control and veer off the road.
A total of 29 passengers were aboard the bus at the time of the incident.
One critically injured passenger was airlifted to AIIMS Rishikesh for advanced medical treatment. The transfer was carried out from Gaulapar helipad via air ambulance, following medical advice.
Survivors of the crash, including Rohit Singh Bisht and Ramesh Pal, recounted the terrifying moments leading up to the crash. Bisht described how a car appeared suddenly, forcing the driver to swerve and sending the bus into the gorge.
Similarly, Pal recalled that the accident occurred when a Delhi-registered car emerged unexpectedly in front of the bus.
Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed his condolences and announced financial assistance for the victims.
The families of the deceased will receive a total of Rs 10 lakh, while severely injured passengers will be compensated Rs 3 lakh.
Passengers with minor injuries will receive compensation between Rs 15,000 and Rs 25,000.
A detailed investigation into the cause of the accident has been initiated by the Divisional transport officer of Haldwani and the Assistant regional manager of Uttarakhand Roadways.