PNS | DEHRADUN
At a time when the authorities are acting tough on drunk drivers, one teenage girl died and two sustained serious injuries after a speeding car reportedly driven by an intoxicated assistant block development officer (ABDO), ran over them in Kotabagh near Haldwani. The accident occurred when the three girls were walking home from the Uttarayani fair in the area on Tuesday.
The officials informed that the deceased, 14-year-old Mahi, was a resident of Nathunagar village in Kotabagh. She was accompanied by her elder sister Kanak (17) and their neighbour Mamta (15). The trio was returning home on foot when the speeding car was heading towards Haldwani. They stated that all three girls sustained severe injuries and were taken to the hospital where Mahi succumbed to her injuries during treatment. The two other girls were later admitted to a private hospital in Mukhani, where they are currently in the intensive care unit and the doctors have reported their condition as stable, as per the officials.
According to them, the accused Bhupendra Singh was reportedly under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident. Singh, who serves as an ABDO in Kotabagh, attempted to flee the scene after the collision. However, his car collided with a hillside near Gurdi Nala, about one kilometre from the accident site. The police, responding to a tip-off on Dial 112, apprehended the accused and confirmed his intoxicated state through a medical examination.
The damaged car was later removed from the scene with the help of a crane and has been seized as evidence, the officials said. This incident has sparked an outrage over the negligence and irresponsibility of the driver. The police are investigating the case and will take further action accordingly, the officials said.
