Manali (Rajeev Sharma): A late-night road accident near the Atal Tunnel in Himachal Pradesh claimed the life of a Rajasthan tourist and left three others injured after their sport utility vehicle crashed into an under-construction bridge structure, police said on Thursday.
The accident occurred near the tunnel’s north portal when the Scorpio carrying four passengers was travelling from Manali towards the Lahaul region. The force of the collision drove the vehicle into exposed steel reinforcement bars at the construction site, leaving it extensively damaged and trapping the occupants inside.
Police identified the deceased as Kailash, 34, a resident of Rajasthan’s Sikar district. The injured include Aditya from Uttar Pradesh’s Lakhimpur district, along with Rajendra and Siddharth, both from Sikar. Siddharth was reportedly driving the vehicle at the time of the incident.
Preliminary findings suggest the SUV lost control while negotiating a bend soon after emerging from the Atal Tunnel. Investigators suspect the vehicle was travelling at a high speed, causing the driver to fail to maintain control on the winding mountain road.
After leaving the roadway, the SUV crashed into the framework of an under-construction bridge near the Chandra River. Several exposed iron rods from the unfinished structure pierced the vehicle, making the rescue operation particularly challenging.
Local police and emergency personnel reached the scene shortly after receiving information about the crash. Rescue teams carefully removed the trapped passengers from the wreckage before shifting the injured to a nearby medical facility for treatment.
According to Sissu police officials, Kailash suffered fatal injuries in the accident and was declared dead. His body has been sent for post-mortem examination, while authorities have informed his family about the tragedy.
Police have launched an investigation to establish the exact cause of the accident. While overspeeding is being considered a possible factor, officials said all aspects, including road conditions and the sequence of events leading to the crash, are being examined.
The incident comes as Himachal Pradesh continues to witness heavy tourist movement during the summer and monsoon seasons. Mountain roads across the state often present additional risks because of sharp curves, steep gradients and changing weather conditions.
Following the accident, police appealed to visitors travelling through the region to follow traffic regulations, avoid excessive speed and exercise extra caution while driving on hilly stretches, especially at night. Authorities also advised motorists to remain alert near road and bridge construction zones, where ongoing infrastructure work may create additional hazards.
The accident has once again underscored the importance of safe driving practices on Himalayan roads, where even a minor lapse can result in serious consequences due to the challenging terrain.
