Bus accident at Haripurdhar in Sirmaur: HP Police files FIR for negligent driving against deceased driver of private bus

Himachal Pradesh Police on Saturday lodged an FIR for death due to negligent driving against the driver of a private bus, which veered off the road and fell around 150 metres deep into a gorge at Haripurdhar in Sirmaur district. The driver, identified as Balbir Singh of Dadhau village in Sirmaur, was also killed in the road accident. The FIR was registered at Sangrah police station.

Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, who also looks after the transport department, said a high-level probe was ordered to find out the exact reasons behind the accident of the bus travelling from Solan to Kupvi. Agnihotri met the injured passengers at Nahan and Solan.

The initial police investigation suggests that at least 78 passengers were travelling in the 36-seater mini bus when the accident took place around 2.45 pm on Friday. Police said the exact number of passengers was ascertained based on the number of victims, including 14 deceased and 64 injured, who were rushed to different hospitals. Among the deceased were two nephews of private bus owner Pratap Singh of Kupvi, identified as nine-year-old Riyanshi and four-year-old Kayan. Three of the injured were referred to PGIMER, Chandigarh, due to the severity of their injuries.

The impact was so severe that the bus was completely damaged, with its roof and tyres getting detached. Soon after the accident, local residents and passersby rushed to the spot and climbed down into the gorge to help the victims. Several injured passengers were trapped under the overturned bus. Nearly 100 people gathered around the bus and lifted its body with their hands to rescue those trapped underneath.

The injured were carried on backs and shoulders to the road, and in some cases, shawls were used to drag them to safety. An injured passenger said that after the roof of the bus came off, passengers were thrown in different directions, and had there been passengers sitting on the roof, the death toll would have been higher.

“The injured passengers are undergoing treatment at Dr YS Parmar Medical College, Nahan. Out of 20 patients brought to the medical college, three were referred to PGIMER Chandigarh due to critical condition, while three were discharged on Saturday. Fourteen patients are undergoing treatment in the orthopedics and surgery wards,” a spokesperson of the district administration said.

As many as 12 other victims who lost their lives were identified as Himanshi, Heema, Sanam, Balbir Singh, Vilam Singh, Promila Devi, Surat Singh, Suman, Ramesh, Mohan Singh, Priyanka and Salochna Devi.

“We have lodged an FIR against the bus driver, who also died in the accident. It is evident that the bus was overcrowded, with passengers exceeding its permitted capacity. Some injured passengers and eyewitnesses have claimed that the bus skidded due to solid dew on the road, and this claim is being verified. It is certain that had the bus not been overcrowded, there was a possibility it might not have lost balance while negotiating the curve from where it fell into the gorge. After 24 hours of the incident, we confirmed that 14 passengers were killed and 64 injured. Some of the injured have been discharged, while others are still under observation,” Sirmaur Superintendent of Police (SP) Nishchint Singh Negi said.

Sources said that the private bus, purchased in 2008, was due for fitness renewal next month, while its permit was valid till 2028. The state government has ordered an inquiry into the causes of the accident.

Shimla MP Suresh Kashyap visited the medical college on Saturday and enquired about the condition of the injured. He expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and said the condition of the injured was improving. He directed the authorities to ensure the best possible medical treatment.

The Aam Aadmi Party also expressed grief over the bus accident. Its state spokesperson Dr Rajesh Channa demanded a magisterial inquiry to ascertain the exact cause of the accident, adequate medical care for the injured, and immediate relief for the families of the deceased. He alleged that frequent road accidents in the state were the result of poor road conditions, lack of maintenance, and violation of safety norms.