Maruti Eeco crashes into ditch in Poonch, kills six, child critical

A Maruti Eeco carrying nine people plunged into a roadside ditch in Poonch district on Wednesday evening, killing six occupants on the spot and leaving a five-year-old fighting for his life.

The driver lost control around 5.30 p.m. while travelling toward Seri Chouhana village in the Sheldhar area of Surankote, sending the vehicle off the road. Among the dead were two women and four men, officials confirmed.

Victims identified

The deceased have been named as Mohd Shafiq (32), Nazakat Hussain (34), Sheraz Ahmed (30), Mohd Fareed (21), Musarat Naz (19), and Zulfat Bi (25). Three others, five-year-old Irshan Ahmed, Mohd Amin (30), and Tahir Ahmed (25), sustained injuries and were taken to the district hospital in Poonch.

The child's condition was described as critical by officials, prompting his referral to Government Medical College hospital for specialized treatment.

Administration response

"An unfortunate accident occurred this evening, resulting in on-the-spot death of six persons and injuries to three others," Poonch Deputy Commissioner Ashok Kumar Sharma told PTI. A rescue operation was launched immediately after the crash.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed anguish over the tragedy and directed the district administration to provide immediate assistance to those affected.

The accident underscores the persistent risks on the hilly roads of Jammu and Kashmir, where single vehicles carrying multiple passengers often traverse narrow stretches prone to sharp turns and steep drops.

Source: The Hindu