Five killed after utility vehicle rolls inro a gorge in HP

Shimla, May 16 (UNI) Five people were killed after their utility vehicle fell into a deep gorge at Ghanvi, about 162 km from here, in Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh today, government officials said.

Rampur SDM DK Rattan told UNI here the accident occurred at about 1300 hrs when the vehicle was on its way to Rampur from Juri in the district.

Locals helped the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and fire personnel in pulling out the bodies from the mangled vehicle, which had plunged into the 700-metre gorge, he said.

Mr Rattan said the dead have identified as Surinder Singh, 32, Balwant Singh, 34, Mehar Singh, 22, Ram Krishen, 55, and Jeetinder, 21.

The cause of the accident was, however, not immediately known, he said, adding that a case had been registered and investigations were on.

The SDM said the district administration had announced an immediate relief of Rs 10,000 each to the next of the kin of the dead.

The bodies had also been handed over to their relatives after post mortem examination, he added.

UNI