3 killed, including infant, in Eeco van accident in J&K's Reasi district, 4 others injured

A road accident occurred in the Chassana area of Reasi district, Jammu and Kashmir, on Saturday, resulting in the deaths of at least three people, including a 10-month-old baby. The incident took place at Chamalu Morh when an Eeco van, traveling from Reasi to Chassana, skidded off the road and fell into a deep gorge. Police officials reported that the driver lost control of the vehicle, leading to the fatal plunge. Local volunteers were quick to respond to the scene, where they discovered three occupants dead, while four others were critically injured and promptly transported to a nearby hospital for urgent medical care.

The victims were reportedly members of the same family, who had traveled to the region for a holiday. The local police stated that the accident's exact cause is still under investigation, but preliminary reports suggest that driver error may have played a significant role. Eyewitnesses recounted the horrifying moments as the vehicle veered off the road and plunged into the gorge, raising serious concerns about the safety of the roadway, especially in the mountainous terrain of Jammu and Kashmir.

This incident follows a troubling pattern of road accidents in the region, as it comes just days after two separate accidents resulted in the deaths of four individuals. On Wednesday, a cab with a Punjab registration number fell into a gorge near Magarkoot along the Jammu-Srinagar highway around 7 a.m., killing both the driver and a female passenger instantly. Four additional passengers from Maharashtra, who were also in the cab, suffered critical injuries and were rescued by a combination of police and local volunteers.

Moreover, on the same day, another road incident claimed the lives of two non-local laborers when a dumper truck fell into a gorge at Gulabpura in Chassana around 4:30 a.m. The dumper was reportedly on a route from Bakori towards Sungri when it lost control. The deceased individuals were identified as Surinder Singh (42) from Punjab and Munna Kumar (26) from Bihar, both of whom died at the scene. Their bodies were subsequently recovered and sent for postmortem examination.

The series of accidents has prompted local authorities to consider the need for enhanced road safety measures in the region. The challenging topography of Jammu and Kashmir often contributes to hazardous driving conditions, especially during inclement weather or on narrow, winding roads. Local government officials are expected to conduct a thorough review of current safety protocols and may implement additional signage, speed restrictions, and public awareness campaigns to mitigate future accidents.