Seven people were killed and two others injured today when their vehicle skidded off Jammu-Srinagar national highway and fell into a deep gorge in Ramban district, police said.
A Tata sumo vehicle on its way to Srinagar from Jammu skidded off the highway and rolled down into a deep gorge at Shatani Nallah belt in the district, they said.
Five persons died on the spot while one succumbed to his injuries on the way to hospital. Another person died in the hospital, police said.
Two persons were injured in the mishap and have been shifted to a hospital in Srinagar, they added.
Explaining the details in the Assembly, state Minister A R Veeri said that at 8 AM, a Tata Sumo driven by one Mohammad Yousuf Mir of Pampore was on way to Srinagar.
He said that upon reaching Shataan Nallah near Jawahir tunnel, the vehicle rolled down about 200 feet from the road resulting in the death of five persons and injury to three others.
He said two injured people died later.
Police has registered an FIR in this connection.
The deceased persons include Hassan Imam, Farman Shah, Imam-ud-Din Ansari, Rasool Ansari, Haroon--all from Bihar and Mohammad Yousuf of Pampore (Kashmir) and one more is yet to identified.
Masi-Ullah of Bihar, is battling for his life along another injured.
Jammu and Kashmir Governor NN Vohra has expressed grief over the death of seven people in the mishap.
"Governor NN Vohra expressed grief over the loss of seven precious human lives in a road accident which occurred near Ramban on the Jammu Srinagar National Highway today" an official Raj Bhawan spokesman said.
Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed also expressed deep shock and anguish over the death of seven persons in the accident.
Expressing sorrow over the tragic loss of lives, Mufti extended his sympathies to the bereaved families and prayed for peace to the departed souls.
Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee President G A Mir termed the incident as very unfortunate and shocking. He expressed solidarity with the bereaved families and offered his heartfelt condolences to them.
