Kupwara, Apr 12: Two students lost their lives while 22 others sustained injuries after a bus carrying them met with an accident near the Wadhpora area in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Saturday.
According to officials, four buses of Government Degree College (GDC) Sogam were heading for a picnic and on reaching Wadhpora, the driver of a college bus lost control over the vehicle, causing it to overturn.
Following the incident, locals, Police, Indian Army’s 21 RR, CRPF, and BSF rushed to the spot and launched a rescue operation to evacuate the injured.
Medical Superintendent Associated District Hospital Government Medical College (GMC) Handwara, Dr Ajaz Ahmad Bhat told Greater Kashmir that a female student was brought dead to the hospital while 23 other students were admitted with injuries among which one was in critical condition and referred to a hospital in Srinagar for advanced treatment.
“Tragically, the injured student succumbed to her injuries at Srinagar’s SMHS Hospital,” he said.
After the accident, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kupwara, Ayushi Sudan visited GMC Handwara to assess the condition of the injured students.
Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC), Handwara, Javeed Masoodi and Tehsildar Handwara, Zeeshan Khan also remained present at the hospital throughout the day.
Talking to media persons, Chief Minister’s Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani said that a magisterial inquiry had been ordered to probe the actual cause of the accident.
Earlier, Peoples Conference Chairman and Member Legislative Assembly (MLA) Sajad Gani Lone visited the GMC Handwara to enquire about the health condition of the injured students.
Lone expressed sorrow over the loss of lives and assured the injured students and their families of all possible assistance.
He also emphasised the need for improved road safety measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
The tragic turn of events unfolded when a bus sent from GDC Handwara to GDC Sogam, in response to a request for a college vehicle, was involved in a fatal accident.
