Four people, among them a 10-year-old girl, lost their lives in a tragic collision between a dumper and a Sumo passenger vehicle on the Waterwani stretch of the Budgam Ring Road late Saturday evening in central Kashmir. Cheif Minister Omar Abdullah and National Conference president Dr. Farooq Abdullah has expressed grief and sorrow over the incident.
An official said, the crash occurred with such force that three passengers died on the spot. A fourth victim, who had suffered critical injuries, later succumbed at the hospital despite sustained medical efforts. Among the deceased was ten-year-old Zainab, a resident of Mahwara, whose death has left the entire locality grief-stricken. Her father, Nisar Ahmad Rather, and two other relatives, Bashir Ahmad Rather and Khatoon also perished in the accident, plunging the family into an unimaginable tragedy.
Seven other passengers were injured in the collision. Police said five of them have been shifted to SMHS Hospital Srinagar for advanced treatment, while two continue to receive medical care at District Hospital Budgam. Eyewitnesses said that locals and passersby rushed to the scene and immediately began evacuating the injured from the mangled vehicle before emergency services arrived. The road remained blocked for some time due to the damaged vehicles and rescue efforts.
Meanwhile, in a statement, National Conference Spokesperson said, Party President Dr Farooq Abdullah and VP & Chief Minister Omar Abdullah have expressed deep shock and grief over the tragic road accident in Budgam, where multiple lives are feared to have been lost. Police has taken cognisance and initiated the enquiry to ascertain the cause of accident.