Eight killed as jeep plunges into gorge

Eight persons, including a police official, were killed and another injured when the jeep they were travelling in fell into a gorge in Pithoragarh district here, police said on Monday.

The accident occurred on Sunday near Matela on Tanakpur-Tawaghat road in Pithoragarh, when the driver lost control and the vehicle plunged into a roadside gorge, they added. There were nine passengers in the jeep of which five were killed on the spot and three died while being taken to the hospital, they said.

Sources said that among the deceased was the driver of the jeep, Kamal Singh, and Circle Officer of Pithoragarh, Mahipal Singh. The lone person injured in the accident has been admitted at district hospital where his condition is said to be stable.