SRINAGAR, November 10 — At least 18 tourists sustained injuries, with eight reported to be in critical condition, when a Tempo Traveller they were travelling in met with an accident on the SSG Road in Sumbal Bala area of Ganderbal district on Tuesday. The injured were promptly taken to the Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Gund for initial medical assessment and treatment.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that following the medical evaluation and triage at PHC Gund, eight patients with severe injuries were referred to the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) in Soura, Srinagar, for specialized secondary and tertiary care. The remaining injured individuals, who suffered minor injuries, have been admitted to PHC Gund and are currently under medical observation.
The tourists who sustained serious injuries and were referred to SKIMS Soura have been identified as Sharda Rani, 58, wife of Ramesh Ji, and Ramesh Ji, 52, son of Bavan Bai, both from Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Also referred were Jayesh, 42, son of Subash Chander, from Surat, Gujarat; Shobhna Patel, 50, wife of Rajesh Kumar Patel, and Rajesh Kumar, son of Devubhai Patel, both from Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Additionally, Swapnadyuti Ghosh, 24, daughter of Surajit Ghosh, Mala Ghosh, 48, wife of Surajit Ghosh, and Surajit Ghosh, 61, son of Late Krishna Dulal, all from Murshidabad, West Bengal, were among those transferred to SKIMS.
The accident occurred on Tuesday, a day that saw adverse weather conditions reported in the higher reaches of the Union Territory. While the exact cause of the accident is under investigation by local authorities, initial reports suggest that the Tempo Traveller may have lost control. The Ganderbal police have initiated an inquiry into the incident to ascertain the circumstances that led to the crash.
Road safety in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly on routes traversing hilly and mountainous terrains, remains a significant concern. Authorities have repeatedly urged drivers and commuters to exercise extreme caution, adhere to speed limits, and ensure vehicles are in good mechanical condition. The SSG Road is a vital link connecting tourist destinations and often experiences high traffic volumes, especially during peak seasons. The timely response of medical personnel at PHC Gund and the subsequent transfer to SKIMS have been crucial in managing the critical cases.
The incident underscores the ongoing challenges related to road safety in the region, prompting renewed calls for enhanced traffic management and public awareness campaigns to prevent similar accidents in the future. The condition of the eight patients referred to SKIMS is being closely monitored by medical professionals.
The Chenab Times News Desk
