ITANAGAR, 14 Feb: Four women were killed and 15 others injured, nine of them critically, after a pickup van ferrying them skidded off the road and fell into a gorge in Kra Daadi district, police said on Monday.
The accident took place on Sunday evening when the passengers were going towards Palin from Tali after attending a fellowship programme, Superintendent of Police Dusu Kaling said.
The vehicle skidded off the road near the Kumey bridge point at Kuwa and fell into a 20-metre-deep gorge above the Kumey river, he said.
Four women passengers died on the spot, while nine others received grievous injuries and six sustained minor injuries, Kaling said.
The critically injured have been sent to Itanagar, while the rest are being treated in Palin, the officer said.
Only four occupants, including the driver, were men, while the rest were women, he said.
The deceased have been identified as Bohu Poyum, Nich Nenia, Toku Yachi and Goda Yayak, the SP said.
Tali CO Jina Bagang said that the accident took place when the driver lost control over the vehicle while ascending a hill and the pickup van came downhill in reverse before falling into the gorge.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu expressed shock and sadness over the loss of lives in the accident.
“Deeply saddened to learn about the unfortunate tragic vehicle accident near Kuwa bridge point between Tali and Palin in Kra Daadi district. My deepest condolences. I pray for early recovery of those injured. Ex gratia under Chief Minister Relief Fund (CMRF) sanctioned,” Khandu tweeted.
The CM released ex gratia of Rs 4 lakhs each for the deceased and Rs 2 lakhs each for the critically injured from the CMRF. A total amount of Rs 38 lakhs has been deposited in the account of the Kra Daadi deputy commissioner with a directive to disburse the same immediately.
Palin MLA Balo Raja also offered heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.
“Since we are mere players and playing our roles here as per his (god’s) wishes and desires, nothing is in the hands of the humans,” he said. (With PTI input)
