Three women were killed and eight others injured after a Tata Sumo vehicle veered off the Badai-Kutlu road and rolled down a slope near Badai nullah in the Lug Valley area of Kullu district on Thursday morning.
The deceased were identified as Maina Devi (37), Kalabati (40) and Kali Devi (35), all residents of Bedhar village.
The vehicle was carrying 11 passengers, including nine women, the driver and a male child, from Sheila Nala panchayat towards Kullu. According to local sources, the group had cast their votes in the panchayat elections and was on its way to attend the Kahika fair in Shirad village when the accident occurred near Badai nullah.
Local villagers rushed to the spot after the mishap and assisted in the rescue operation. The injured were transported to Dhalpur Hospital in 108 ambulances. However, three passengers were declared brought dead on arrival.
The injured are undergoing treatment at the hospital, while two critically injured passengers — Ayansh Thakur and Tara Thakur — were later referred to AIIMS Bilaspur for advanced treatment.
Kullu MLA Sunder Singh Thakur visited the hospital soon after the accident and reviewed the situation. He directed health department officials to ensure prompt treatment for the injured. Speaking to mediapersons at Dhalpur hospital, the MLA said preliminary information indicated that the accident might have occurred due to brake failure.
