At least four persons, including three school students, died and around 35 were injured after a matador they were travelling on turned turtle near Barmeen area of Udhampur district in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday.Deputy Commissioner Udhampur Neeraj Kumar said: “Four people including minors died and 35 sustained injuries when an Udhampur-Barmeen route matador skidded off the road near Barmeen”.Kumar, however, said that figures may change as some people have been critically injured.Eyewitnesses said that the matador skidded off the road and fell into a deep gorge, leading to death of four people and injuries to 35 others.District administration launched an immediate rescue operation with the help of police and locals.The injured were shifted to District Hospital Udhampur for treatment.
Meanwhile, Governor N.N. Vohra expressed grief over the loss of innocent lives in a mini-bus accident at Barmeen in Udhampur district. In a condolence message the Governor has conveyed his sympathies to the members of the bereaved families and prayed for peace to the departed souls. He has wished speedy recovery to the persons injured in this accident.Raj Bhavan Spokesman stated that the Governor has re-iterated his regret and serious concern that the regulatory authorities; particularly the Traffic Police, have yet to take adequately deterring measures to ensure against operation of old and technically unfit vehicles, inadequately trained drivers, overloading of passenger carrying vehicles, over-speeding on narrow and poorly maintained roads etc. Chief Minister, Ms Mehbooba Mufti also expressed grief and sorrow over the loss of innocent lives, including three school children in the accident. The Chief Minister conveyed her sympathies to bereaved families and prayed for peace to the departed souls. She has wished speedy recovery to the persons injured in the accident. (CNS)