Incident Summary
In the early hours of Tuesday, 6 October 2026, a pickup loaded with fresh milk from Lalkuan slipped off the narrow mountain road and fell into the deep gorge adjacent to the Kainchi Dham temple in Nainital district. The vehicle, bearing registration UK04 CC 3465, left the carriageway at approximately 02:00 hrs, injuring its three occupants.
Immediate Response by Villagers
Before the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) could arrive, nearby residents rushed to the site. Their swift actions helped extract the driver, a passenger, and a child from the steep ravine, averting a potentially fatal outcome while official rescue teams were on their way.
Co‑ordinated Rescue Effort
A SDRF unit from the Khairna post, led by Sub‑Inspector Devendra Singh, joined forces with district police to secure the area. Together they surveyed the gorge and surrounding slopes to ensure no additional victims were trapped.
Once the perimeter was declared clear, the injured trio was handed over to medical personnel and transported by ambulance to the nearest hospital for treatment.
Victims Identified
The three individuals involved have been identified as Ankit Singh, 33, driver Bobby, and a ten‑year‑old boy named Mohammad Saqib. All sustained injuries that required medical attention, but their conditions were reported as stable after receiving care.
Ongoing Investigation
Following the rescue, SDRF teams, together with police investigators, conducted a systematic sweep of the crash site and nearby terrain. Authorities are collecting evidence to determine the exact cause of the vehicle’s departure from the road. Updates will be issued as the probe progresses.
