Dehradun – In a tragic accident, five girls from Noida and their driver have been reported dead after a tempo traveler fell into the Alaknanda river near Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand. The accident occurred on Saturday, June 15, and resulted in the deaths of 14 individuals. One of the girls, Anjali, is still missing. The group of friends, who lived together in Sector-51, Noida, had embarked on a trip to Uttarakhand.
The Incident
The tempo traveler, carrying 26 people including 23 passengers, two drivers, and a helper, met with the accident at Rantoli on the Rishikesh-Badrinath National Highway. The vehicle reportedly lost control and plunged about 250 feet into the Alaknanda river. Initial reports suggest the driver may have fallen asleep, causing the vehicle to veer off the road and crash through a barrier before tumbling into the river below.
Immediate Aftermath
The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and local authorities promptly initiated a rescue operation. Tragically, 10 individuals died on the spot, while two succumbed to their injuries at AIIMS Rishikesh and another two at the District Hospital Rudraprayag. Twelve others were injured, with five receiving treatment at AIIMS Rishikesh and seven at Rudraprayag District Hospital.
Victims and Survivors
Among the deceased were:
- Smriti Sharma from Sonbhadra
- Mohini Pandey from Pratapgarh
- Karan Singh, the driver, from Aligarh
- Gurukirat Singh and Akanksha from Jhansi
- An unidentified young man who passed away during treatment at AIIMS Rishikesh
The injured include:
- Vandana Sharma from Noida
- Mahima Tripathi
- Shubham Singh from Noida
- Namita Sharma
- Lakshya Agarwal
- Aditya Mathura and Chhabi, who are admitted at AIIMS Rishikesh
Reaction and Response
The news of the accident has left the community in shock, particularly the building in Noida where the girls resided. Friends and neighbors were alerted to the incident and have since been in a state of mourning. The local police have yet to provide further details on the ongoing rescue and recovery efforts.
This tragic accident highlights the dangers of long-distance travel on hilly terrains, especially with the added risks of driver fatigue and challenging road conditions. Authorities are likely to investigate the cause of the accident further to prevent such incidents in the future.
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