Kullu, Jan 1: A New Year celebration turned fatal in Himachal Pradesh’s Kullu district after a car carrying four friends met with a deadly accident, leaving three dead and one critically injured, officials said Thursday.
The crash took place near Bhootnath Bridge on the Kullu bypass road around 1 a.m. when the vehicle, returning from Kasol, hit a bridge parapet and then crashed into a truck parked along the roadside.
“The collision was extremely forceful. Three occupants of the car died at the scene,” police said.
The lone survivor, a woman, was shifted to Kullu hospital in critical condition. Doctors said she remains under intensive medical care.
One of the deceased has been identified as Satpal, a local resident. The two other victims, both women, have not yet been formally identified. According to police, the group had traveled to Kasol on December 31 to celebrate Satpal’s birthday and welcome the New Year.
Satpal was known locally as a tattoo artist and operated a studio in Akhara Bazar. His sudden death triggered widespread grief, with many residents describing him as well-known and popular in the area.
Police have registered a case and launched a probe into the circumstances leading to the accident. “We are looking into possible factors, including vehicle speed, road design and why the truck was parked at that spot,” an officer said.
Post-mortem examinations are scheduled to be conducted at Kullu hospital later Thursday, following which the bodies will be released to the families for last rites.
