LG, CM express grief
Jammu, Oct 8: Two persons were killed and seven others injured in a road accident on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in Ramban district on Thursday, officials said.
The accident took place late Thursday in the Ukhral area when a vehicle carrying nine persons and travelling towards Chunthan went out of the driver’s control and skidded off the road, officials said.
The deceased were identified as the driver, Vijay Singh, and Sunil Singh, 26.
Seven persons were injured in the accident. One of the injured was referred to Jammu for further treatment, while the remaining six were referred to Government Medical College and Hospital in Anantnag, officials said.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed grief over the accident and conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families.
In a post on X, Sinha said he was “deeply anguished” by the accident in Ukhral, Ramban, and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured. He also said he had directed the district administration to provide the best possible treatment to the injured.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also expressed grief over the loss of two lives and conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families.
Omar directed the administration and medical authorities to ensure the best possible medical treatment and all necessary assistance to the injured, and asked officials to closely monitor their condition.
Road accidents in Jammu and Kashmir are frequently attributed to a combination of human error, difficult terrain, adverse weather and vehicular or road-related factors.
Over-speeding, reckless driving and sudden manoeuvres are among the major causes, while dangerous overtaking on narrow mountain roads, sharp curves and hill stretches can result in head-on collisions or vehicles plunging into gorges.
Challenging terrain, narrow roads, sharp bends, rockfalls and accident-prone black spots further increase the risks, particularly along mountainous stretches of the region.
Adverse weather conditions, including rain, snowfall, thick fog and black ice, can also reduce visibility and braking efficiency during specific seasons.
Low use of seat belts and helmets can increase the severity of injuries, while overloading of passenger and commercial vehicles can affect stability and control on steep gradients. Drunk or impaired driving further increases the risk by affecting reaction time and judgment.
