One dead, five injured in Baitadi jeep accident

KATHMANDU, Sept 11: A woman, who was critically injured in a jeep accident in Baitadi on Tuesday morning, died while undergoing treatment the same evening. Five others were injured in the accident. 

According to the District Police Office (DPO), Baitadi, Sabina Mahara, 18, of Surnaya Rural Municipality-8, died while undergoing treatment at Dhangadhi-based Nisarga Hospital at around 6:30 pm on Tuesday. Critically injured Mahara was initially referred to Dadheldhura and then to Dhangadhi from Baitadi-based hospital.

DSP Deepak Giri, who heads the DPO, Baitadi, said that the jeep carrying Mahara and five others plunged 20 meters off the  gravel road in Baitadi at around 8 am. “The driver was attempting to back the vehicle on a narrow road when it skidded off and fell down a cliff at around 8 am in the morning,” he told Republica, adding, “The six people traveling on the jeep were taken to the Dadeldhura Hospital at around 10 am where they underwent medical treatment.” 

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Six, including driver, injured in jeep accident in Baitadi

DSP Giri added that Mahara was transported to the Dhangadhi-based hospital immediately after she was identified to be critically ill. “She was taken to Nisarga Hospital for treatment by 1:30 pm,” he told Republica.

The accident occurred when the ill-fated jeep (Su Pa Pra 0100 Ja 1354) en route to Dora from Bachpani, met with an accident in Surnaya Rural Municipality-8 on Tuesday. Five people, including the driver sustained injuries in the accident. 

The injured individuals have been identified as the driver Lal Bahadur Kunwar of Surnaya-7; Krishna Madai, 21, Man Bahadur Mahara, 45, and Dhan Bahadur Mahara, 40; all residents of Surnaya-8. All of the injured are receiving treatment at Dadeldhura Hospital.

While the DPO is still investigating the accident, DSP Giri claimed that the condition of the roads in the hill areas seems to be the prime cause of the accident. Police have taken control of the driver Lal Bahadur. The District Police Office said that an investigation into the accident is underway.