Survivors of a devastating bus accident in Jammu and Kashmir‘s Udhampur district have recounted harrowing scenes of panic and despair, crediting the swift intervention of the Indian Army with saving numerous lives. The tragedy unfolded on Monday when a packed private passenger bus veered off a treacherous hillside, plunging nearly 100 meters and crushing an auto-rickshaw before coming to a horrific halt upside down on the road below. At least 21 individuals lost their lives in the incident, with 29 others sustaining injuries.
The catastrophic event occurred around 10 a.m. on the winding Udhampur-Ramnagar road, approximately 40 kilometers from the district headquarters. The bus driver reportedly lost control while navigating a sharp, blind curve near Kagort village in the Ramnagar area. As piercing screams filled the air amidst mangled metal and entangled bodies, hope began to wane with each passing moment, according to those who experienced the ordeal. Information reaching TahirRihat.com suggests that an Army convoy, en route from Udhampur to Ramnagar, was passing by when the accident occurred. Soldiers immediately halted their movement and rushed to the scene, initiating an intense rescue operation.
Neetu Rani, 32, wife of Sanjay Sharma, described her escape as miraculous, likening it to a second life. Speaking from her hospital bed, she told PTI that Army personnel were the first responders, appearing like saviors amidst the chaos. “They pulled us out of the wreckage,” she recounted, her voice still trembling. Rani, who sustained injuries to her back, legs, and face, was on her way to her maternal home in Udhampur when the journey turned into a nightmare. “I have lost all my belongings, but life saved is everything. Nothing else matters now – I am just grateful to be alive,” she added, noting that the horrifying moments of the crash would remain etched in her memory for a long time.
The soldier leading the Army convoy described how they immediately secured the area upon witnessing the civilian vehicle rolling down the hill. “The vehicle fell from a height of nearly 100 metres. We immediately secured the area and launched the rescue operation, thus saving many precious lives including those of men and women with great difficulty,” the soldier stated. The coordinated efforts of the Army were soon augmented by local villagers and police teams, led by Deputy Inspector General of Police, Udhampur-Reasi Range, Shiv Kumar Sharma. Working in close coordination, they managed to break open the mangled remains of the bus to extricate the injured on priority. Rescuers carefully pulled out survivors trapped within the wreckage before proceeding to retrieve the bodies of the deceased.
Rajesh, the uncle of Sahil Thappa, expressed profound gratitude to the rescuers, including the Army and police, for their prompt action. Thappa, 19, was among a dozen students on their way to college when the accident occurred, suffering head injuries. During its violent descent, the bus struck an auto-rickshaw that was on the road below, amplifying the impact. The force of the crash was so severe that the entire top portion of the bus was crushed, leaving the vehicle severely mangled and trapping several passengers inside. Eyewitnesses painted a grim picture of the scene, describing injured passengers crying out for help amidst twisted metal and shattered glass.
A hydraulic crane was later deployed to right the overturned bus, enabling rescuers to gain better access to those still trapped and to clear the debris from the accident site. The precise cause of the accident is still under official investigation. However, initial reports suggest that the driver may have failed to negotiate the sharp turn on the treacherous stretch of road. The Udhampur-Ramnagar road is known for its challenging terrain, with numerous blind curves and steep drops, making it a high-risk route for vehicular traffic, particularly during adverse weather conditions or at high speeds. The incident has once again highlighted the critical need for enhanced road safety measures and stricter enforcement of traffic regulations in the hilly regions of Jammu and Kashmir. The local administration has pledged to conduct a thorough inquiry into the incident and to take necessary steps to prevent future occurrences. The community has been deeply affected by the loss of life and the injuries sustained by many, with prayers and support pouring in for the victims and their families.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.