34 passengers injured in overloaded minibus mishap in Rajouri.

GNS ONLINE RAJOURI
SHYAM SOOD

RAJOURI, MAY, 11:–Thirty-four passengers were injured on Wednesday when an overloaded Mini bus turn turtle on the roadside near the upcoming Government Medical College complex at Maira on Rajouri-Piri road.
This was the second road mishap within a week. On May 5, the driver of a video coach bus on way to Poonch from Jammu lost control over the vehicle on a sharp curve near village Chattiyar and it fell in the field and 16 passengers were injured.
“Today’s accident could have been avoided if the traffic police and ARTO officials had checked the fitness of the minibus (plain tyres) and reportedly driven by a minor,” said the eyewitnesses.
To avoid a head-on collision with a vehicle coming from the opposite side on a single-track road, the driver applied the brake, and the minibus turn turtle on the roadside due to plain tyres, they added.
More than 40 passengers were travelling in the bus, which was on the way to Rajouri from Piri, against the authorised sitting capacity of 24 passengers.
Immediately after the mishap, a message was flashed to the police at Rajouri police station and a police team along with three ambulances rushed to the spot and rescued the injured to Government Medical College & Associated Hospital (GMC&AH).
The injured include nine minors and twenty-four women and most of them are residents of Kotdhara, and Sankari villages.
A case has been registered at Rajouri police station and the police has started an investigation in this mishap.
Deputy Commissioner (DC), Vikas Kundal later visited the GMC&AH and met with the accident victims.
The DC inquired about their well-being and directed the medical staff to provide the best possible treatment to the injured so that they don’t face any inconveniences.
He also assured of all possible support to the injured and their families by District Administration in these tough hours.