Three die, five hurt as jeep plunges into gorge in Neelum Valley

MUZAFFARABAD: At least three people were killed and five others sustained injuries as a Jeep plunged into a gorge near Keel in Neelum Valley on Thursday.

As per details shared by Deputy Commissioner Neelum, Shahid Mehmood, a jeep carrying eight persons plunged into ravine, resulting in death of three children while five others sustained injuries, who were rushed to a nearby medical facility.

“The  appalling incident took place, when the jeep was taking turn near Keel, area of  Neelum Valley”, said DC.

In a similar road crash on October 29, as many as 17 people were killed as a passenger coach plunged into a ravine on Karakoram Highway.

According to details, the coach was heading to Rawalpindi from Gilgit-Baltistan when it skidded off the road and fell into the ravine within the limits of Lotar Police Station.

The District Police Officer (DPO) confirmed 17 causalities in the accident and added that they were facing difficulties in rescue operation due to darkness and steep rocks.

Police and rescue officials shifted the bodies and the injured to the hospital. The police officials were of the view that over speeding was the reason behind the accident.

Police said that only one woman passenger out of 18 on board the coach miraculously survived after the accident.

Earlier, at least eight people, a woman among them, were killed when the jeep in which they were traveling, thrust into a canyon in Muzaffarabad on April 25.

After being informed of the accident, rescue teams had reached the spot and recovered the bodies.