Tragic Road Accident in Mandi: HRTC Bus Plunges Into Fields, 7 Dead and 22 Injured

Mandi, July 24:
A major road accident occurred on Thursday morning near Maseran village in Sarkaghat sub-division of Mandi district. A Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) bus carrying 29 passengers, including the driver and conductor, veered off the road and rolled down a steep hillside before crashing into fields below.

Initially, five fatalities—three women and two men—were reported at the scene. Later, two more women succumbed to their injuries during treatment at Nerchowk Medical College, bringing the death toll to seven. The bus reportedly flipped over multiple times after skidding off the road, leaving it completely mangled.

Local MLA Dilip Thakur visited the injured at the hospital and expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased.

Identities of the Deceased:

• Balveer (60), son of Saju Ram, village Pati Bhalyara, PO Jamni, Tehsil Sarkaghat

• Antariksh (17), son of Kishori Lal, village Garaudu, PO Bhadrwar, Tehsil Sarkaghat

• Barfi Devi (80), wife of Roop Singh, village Bhalyana, PO Maseran, Tehsil Sarkaghat

• Geeta Devi (65), wife of Bishan Chand, village Rasehad, PO Maseran, Tehsil Sarkaghat

• Doma Devi (70), wife of Laskari Ram, village Ramehad, PO Maseran, Tehsil Sarkaghat

• Kalasi Devi (60), wife of Kashi Ram, village Talgara, PO Maseran, Tehsil Sarkaghat

• Suman Kumar (33), son of Jagdish Chand, village and PO Maseran, Tehsil Sarkaghat

MLA Dilip Thakur also raised concerns about the lack of adequate medical facilities at Sarkaghat Hospital, criticizing the state government for neglecting a hospital that serves as a hub for two constituencies. He highlighted that the hospital still lacks basic diagnostic tools such as an ultrasound machine. He thanked the local residents for their prompt support in the rescue efforts.

DSP Sarkaghat Sanjeev Gautam confirmed the accident and stated that seven people have lost their lives so far. Several of the critically injured have been referred to Nerchowk Medical College and AIIMS Bilaspur. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the accident.