Udhampur: A woman was killed and two others were critically injured after a car plunged into a deep gorge along the Udhampur highway on Monday, officials said.
According to preliminary reports, the accident occurred when the vehicle reportedly lost control on a hilly stretch of the road and veered off into the gorge. The impact of the fall caused severe damage to the car, leaving passengers trapped inside.
Local police and rescue teams rushed to the spot soon after receiving information from passersby. A joint operation was launched to retrieve the victims from the steep terrain, which posed significant challenges due to the depth and difficult access of the gorge.
Officials confirmed that one woman died on the spot, while two other occupants sustained critical injuries and were immediately shifted to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment. Their condition is said to be serious.
The bodies of the deceased have been sent for post-mortem examination as part of standard procedure. Police have also initiated an investigation to determine the exact cause of the accident.
Preliminary suspicion points to possible over-speeding or loss of control on the winding highway stretch, though authorities have not ruled out other factors such as road conditions or mechanical failure.
Traffic on the route was briefly affected as rescue operations were carried out, but was later restored after the vehicle was recovered from the gorge.
Officials have urged drivers to exercise extreme caution while travelling on hilly roads, especially in regions prone to sharp curves and steep slopes.
Further details are awaited as the investigation continues and the condition of the injured victims is being closely monitored by doctors.
