Incident Summary
At around 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, a Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) bus heading from Manali to Pathankot capsized close to the Police Line area of Bashing in Kullu district. The vehicle, which had four passengers besides the driver and conductor, rolled onto its side, leaving six people with injuries ranging from minor bruises to serious wounds.
People Affected
The casualties include four passengers – Shyam Lal, 45, Krishna Thapa, 42, Chhaya Devi, 25 and Rakesh Kumar, 31 – as well as the driver, Manmohan Singh, 42. The conductor, Praveen, 46, sustained only light injuries. All six individuals were immediately taken to Kullu’s Regional Hospital for medical care.
Police Action and Ongoing Inquiry
Local law‑enforcement reached the scene shortly after the crash and have opened a formal investigation to determine why the bus overturned. Officers are collecting statements from witnesses and inspecting the road surface near the Police Line to assess whether driver error, mechanical failure, or external conditions contributed to the mishap.
Importance of the Route
The Manali‑Pathankot highway is a critical lifeline for residents and tourists navigating the Kullu valley. Because the accident occurred early in the morning, the bus was not heavily loaded, a factor that may influence the findings of the investigation.
Current Situation
Medical teams continue to monitor the patients’ conditions, while police officials have pledged to provide further updates as the probe advances.
