Daijiworld Media Network - Dehradun
Dehradun, Dec 30: A passenger bus travelling from Dwarahat to Ramnagar plunged into a steep ravine in Almora district on Tuesday morning, claiming seven lives and leaving 11 others critically injured.
The bus, carrying 19 passengers, went out of control near Salapani in the Bhikiyainsain area, shortly after passing Vinayak, according to eyewitnesses. Residents described the incident as sudden and horrifying: “The bus slid off the road and disappeared into the gorge within seconds. The sound was terrible.”
Rescue teams, including police and local administration, rushed to the rugged terrain. Villagers assisted in the frantic search for survivors trapped inside the bus wreckage. Initial reports confirmed six deaths at the site, with the toll later rising to seven.
Almora SSP Devendra Pincha confirmed that rescue operations were underway, while SDM Yakshi Arora and SHO Avneesh Kumar coordinated the on-site response with ambulance services. Several injured passengers were rushed to Bhikiyainsain Hospital, and arrangements are being made to airlift critically wounded individuals to higher referral centres.
Preliminary investigations suggest the driver may have lost control on a sharp curve, or a technical fault could be responsible. The exact cause is under official inquiry.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed deep sorrow and assured full government support for the affected families.
This marks the second major bus accident in the Sult area within 14 months. In November 2023, a crash near Kupi village claimed 36 lives.