Examiner Bureau | Ramban:
Two separate accidents on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) in Ramban district on Saturday morning left around 18 people injured, with the second mishap involving a Quick Response Team (QRT) vehicle that was on its way to assist those injured in the first accident.
Officials said the first accident occurred at around 8:50 am near Maroog, behind Kela Mor, when a passenger bus bearing registration number WB-37D/8989 reportedly hit the hillside.
Around 10 to 15 passengers sustained injuries in the accident and were being evacuated to District Hospital Ramban for medical treatment.
Following the mishap, police personnel and Civil QRT teams launched a rescue operation and began evacuating the injured from the site.
However, at around 9:15 am, a QRT vehicle bearing registration number JK-02CR-1506, which had been dispatched from DPL Ramban to assist in the rescue and evacuation operation, met with another accident near Kela Mor.
According to officials, the QRT vehicle overturned while approaching the area, reportedly due to high speed.
Eight personnel travelling in the vehicle, including three CRPF personnel from 187 Battalion and five J&K Police personnel, sustained injuries in the accident.
The injured personnel were subsequently evacuated for medical treatment. Police, CRPF and civil rescue teams continued rescue and evacuation operations at both accident sites.
Further details regarding the condition of those injured were awaited.
