A tragic bus accident in Uttarakhand’s Dehradun district has claimed three lives and left seven others injured. A Himachal Pradesh Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) bus carrying over 30 passengers lost control and plunged into a deep gorge on the Kuanau–Meenak Road in the Kalsi police station area. The fatal crash occurred in a remote hilly stretch, triggering panic among passengers and locals. Officials confirmed that three passengers died on the spot, while the injured were rushed to nearby medical facilities. Rescue teams continue operations amid difficult terrain.
The Dehradun Central Control Room received an alert early in the morning about the accident on the inaccessible Meenak Road. Eyewitnesses reported that the bus suddenly lost balance on the narrow hill road before skidding off and falling into the gorge. The impact of the fall severely damaged the vehicle, complicating rescue efforts. Local residents were the first to reach the site and assist stranded passengers. Police teams soon arrived and coordinated with villagers to pull out the injured, even as debris and steep slopes slowed down the evacuation.
Given the seriousness of the incident, SDRF Commandant Arpan Yaduvanshi ordered an immediate large-scale rescue operation. Four specialised SDRF teams were dispatched from Dakpathar, Chakrata, Mori, and Tyuni with advanced rescue equipment and life support systems. The teams faced major challenges due to the mountainous terrain and the depth of the gorge. Despite the risks, rescue personnel worked continuously to retrieve passengers trapped inside the wreckage and ensure they were shifted safely to ambulances for medical treatment.
Following the accident, the Dehradun district administration and health department were put on high alert. All hospitals and primary health centres in Chakrata and nearby areas were instructed to remain fully prepared. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami spoke to the District Magistrate and issued necessary directions for rescue and medical care. In a post on X, the Chief Minister said critically injured passengers would be airlifted if required. Initial reports suggest the bus may have been overcrowded, raising concerns that the toll could rise further.