1 killed, 3 injured as vehicle carrying tourists falls into gorge near Bijanbari

EOI & Agencies, DARJEELING, AUGUST 22: A vehicle carrying four tourists fell 300 feet into a gorge on Thursday, killing one and injuring three others. The deceased has been identified as Bimal Das, 35, from 24-Parganas, while Shankar Mondol, 32, Biswajit Poddar, 48, and Chiranjeevi Das, 33, are being treated at the Darjeeling District Hospital for their injuries.

After a preliminary investigation, the police said the accident occurred due to brake failure of the vehicle, a Maruti Suzuki Ritz, in which the four tourists were traveling. "It appears to be a case of brake failure. The driver of the vehicle could not control the car, and it slipped backward on the slope, falling 300 feet below. One person died on the spot, and the other three occupants of the vehicle, including the driver, sustained injuries," said a police source.

Apparently, the tourists, all from Kolkata and neighboring areas, were traveling to Bijanbari in the Darjeeling district for a short outing. "The tourists were headed to a homestay in Bijanbari, where their rooms were booked. The accident occurred near the Tukvar Hospital at around 2:30 in the afternoon," the source added.

As soon as reports of the accident, witnessed by residents of the area, spread, police officials from the Singamari Town Outpost informed the district hospital for an ambulance. The rescue operation was carried out with the help of local people who rushed to the spot.