Toll in Udhampur accident climbs to 6, CM condemns

JAMMU: With one more passenger succumbing to injuries, the death toll in the accident on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway has risen to six, police said today.
A mini-bus carrying a marriage party plunged into a gorge at Gharian Dhanas near Chenani last night, leaving five persons dead on the spot and 20 others injured.
The injured were rushed to hospital where one of the three critically injured persons succumbed to injuries late last night, the police said.
The vehicle was on way to Chenani from Kud when it rolled down into the gorge after its driver lost control.
Rescuers immediately swung into action and managed to retrieve bodies of five dead persons from the spot.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Monday expressed grief over the unfortunate accident.
Mufti directed the Udhampur district administration to provide all support to the injured for their medical treatment.
She has also directed the traffic authorities to ensure strict maintenance of traffic rules on the national highway and elsewhere so that such unfortunate incidents do not take place, an official spokesman said.