1 killed, at least 3 injured after falling rocks hit jeep at 'Siddha Baba' in Palpa

A vehicle is seen damaged after being hit by falling rocks. Courtesy: Milan Thapa Magar/Facebook
A vehicle is seen damaged after being hit by falling rocks. Courtesy: Milan Thapa Magar/Facebook

KATHMANDU: One person was killed and at least three others sustained injuries after the jeep they were travelling in was hit by falling rocks at Siddha Baba area along Siddhartha Highway in Palpa district on Friday.

Kamal Pariyar, 26, of Bhurtung in Kaligandaki Rural Municipality-7 of Gulmi district, driver of the ill-fated jeep died on the spot after being hit on his head by falling rocks at Siddha Baba area around 1:30 pm today, said District Police Office, Palpa.

A police team from Dovan Area Police Post reached the site and rescued others injured and sent them to Lumbini Zonal Hospital in Butwal for treatment.

Among the injured, two were referred to Bharatpur Hospital in Chitwan for further treatment and one with head injury is said to be in critical condition, police said.

The jeep (Lu 1 Cha 2617) was heading to Barayang of Baglung district from Butwal before the accident. The stretch from lower Siddha Baba to Dovan, roughly six kilometres along the Siddhartha Highway, is highly prone to landslips.

One other vehicle suffered damage in the incident. The passengers travelling on it have been reported safe.

Many persons have lost their lives while travelling on this road stretch, either by being hit by falling rocks or due to landslides along this dangerous and narrow road along Tinau River.

One of the locals, Badal Hamal said, we have to put our lives on a blade's edge while travelling along this road stretch.

Although many people have died in accidents around Siddha Baba area in Palpa district, the government is yet to come up with a solution to this problem.

A vehicle is seen damaged after being hit by falling rocks. Courtesy: Milan Thapa Magar/Facebook
A vehicle is seen damaged after being hit by falling rocks. Courtesy: Milan Thapa Magar/Facebook