Accident spree continuing to take toll of lives, a total of 12 persons were killed in two separate road accidents reported in Udham Singh Nagar and Almora districts over the past 24 hours.
In the first mishap that occurred on Thursday night in Almora, at least eight people, including five women, were killed and 12 others were injured. The driver is supposed to have lost control over the vehicle while negotiating a sharp bend, resulting in the car plunge 200 metres into a gorge at Talla Sal. The injured, including nine women, were rushed to a hospital based in Ramnagar.
The second accident occurred at Bijti, Sitarganj in Udham Singh Nagar on Friday with four persons being killed on the spot and eight others being injured. The Bolero jeep they were sitting in overturned after being hit by a dumper speeding from the opposite direction. The condition of two of the eight injured is reported to be critical. Both were referred to higher centres. The deceased were identified as Sher Singh (19), Pappu (46), Harishankar (45), Sitaram (55), native of Peelibhit (Uttar Pradesh). The injured persons are Surendra Chandra, Surajpal, Govind Ram, Amit, Mohammad Zuma, Shanu, Balwant Singh and Krishan Pal. Bodies were extracted from the Bolero with the help of JCB, police said. Amit and Shanu are reported to be in critical condition.
On receiving the information of the accident, SDM Vinod Kumar and DSP Harish Mehra rushed to the hospital where the injured had been admitted and inquired into their condition. Besides, they assured prompt clearance of the compensation to the next of kin of the deceased.