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One killed after car plunges into 200-ft gorge in Bengal's Kurseong
A tragic accident in Kurseong, West Bengal, resulted in one fatality and five injuries after a vehicle fell into a 200-foot gorge on Sunday night due to heavy rain.
A tragic incident occurred on Sunday night in Kurseong, West Bengal, where a car veered off the Kargil Dhara road, plunging about 200 feet into a gorge. The accident resulted in the death of one individual and left five others injured, as confirmed by local police reports on Monday.
The group, consisting of six friends from Siliguri, was traveling towards the city when the vehicle lost control around 9 p.m. Heavy rainfall in the Kargil Dhara area, located approximately 10 kilometers above Rohini, contributed to the loss of control, leading to the vehicle’s fatal descent into the ditch.
Local residents acted quickly, initiating rescue efforts immediately after the accident. Once the authorities, including the state's disaster management team and police, arrived on the scene, they continued with the rescue operation. The first two victims were retrieved from the vehicle, although rain and darkness significantly hampered the rescue attempts for the remaining occupants.
According to a Darjeeling District Police officer, despite the immediate response, three individuals remained trapped in the vehicle after the initial rescue efforts. Eventually, all were successfully rescued, with two of the injured being treated at a nearby primary healthcare facility in Kurseong, while the other three victims were transported to a hospital in Siliguri for further care.
The deceased was pronounced dead at the hospital, and their body has been sent for an autopsy to determine the cause of death. All six friends involved in the incident were reported to be local residents of Siliguri.
This accident highlights the ongoing hazards faced by drivers in the hilly terrains of north Bengal, particularly during the current rainy season. In recent days, the region has experienced heavy rainfall following the monsoon's withdrawal, prompting officials to issue warnings for motorists to exercise increased caution while navigating the hills, especially at night and during adverse weather conditions.
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Edited with AI assistance.
Featured image: AI-generated representative image.