At least two people lost their lives and eight others sustained injuries after a car travelling from Gangtok veered off National Highway 10 and fell nearly 500 feet into a deep gorge in West Bengal’s Kalimpong district on the evening of December 12.
The accident occurred near Birik Dara when the Siliguri-bound vehicle reportedly skidded after the driver lost control, according to police. The stretch of NH-10 where the incident took place is part of a hilly corridor frequently flagged for safety concerns due to its steep gradients and susceptibility to landslides.
Rescue efforts began immediately after the crash, with local residents, personnel from the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), and police teams working together to reach the site despite the challenging terrain. The injured were pulled out of the gorge and rushed to Rambi Hospital for initial treatment.
Police confirmed that while two occupants were declared dead, several of the injured were in critical condition and were later referred to hospitals in Siliguri for advanced medical care. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the accident.
The incident has once again highlighted the risks associated with travel along NH-10, particularly on vulnerable hill sections that become even more dangerous during adverse weather conditions.
