I killed 26 injured as van overturns near Mirik

PRASHANT ACHARYA, YAWAN GURUNG, EOI, SILIGURI / MIRIK, JULY 29, 2024 : One person died on the spot and 26 others were injured when a pick-up van carrying pilgrims overturned along the Siliguri-Mirik highway near Dudhey on Monday morning. The devotees had travelled from Cooch Behar to Jalpesh in the Jalpaiguri district for offering puja at the Shiva temple early on Monday.

After completing their religious engagement, the devotees decided to visit Mirik, an important tourist destination. The pick-up van could not negotiate, however, the steep ascent to Mirik. The driver did not feel confident enough to drive to Mirik and they decided to turn back when they reached Ghayabari Tea Garden. On their way back, however, the driver lost control and the vehicle overturned at Zero Golai. Sukh Deb Das (45) was killed on the spot while 26 others, including the driver, sustained injuries.

The Panighata Police reached the spot and removed the injured people to the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital where four of them were undergoing treatment in a critical condition. Eight of the devotees were released after first aid. After the incident, a team from Matigara Block Development office rushed to NBMCH to provide assistance for the injured devotees, official from Matigara BDO office Robin Karmakar said. Manik Das, one of the devotees who sustained minor injuries, said that the offering of sacred water was over by 6 am and then they decided to visit Mirik to escape from the scorching heat of the past two days. Unfortunately, their vehicle could not pull the load on the uphill road and they returned from Ghayabari Tea Garden. While driving down, their vehicle overturned at Zero Golai.