UPDATE: Dhading truck accident death toll rises to seven; 11 injured airlifted to Kathmandu

DHADING: At least seven persons have lost their lives and dozens were injured in a mini-truck accident at Maidibhanjyang in Nilkantha Municipality-9 of Dhading district, on Tuesday.

Among the injured persons, 11 persons have been airlifted to Trauma Centre in Kathmandu for further treatment and others are undergoing treatment at the District Hospital, Dhading.

District Police Office (DPO), Dhading identified the deceased as Sete Gurung, Prem Bahadur Gurung, Bal Bahadur Gurung, Narayan Shrestha, Tilak Bahadur Gurung, and Naj Bahadur Gurung, all hailing from Bhulbhule in Nilkantha Municipality-2 of the district.

According to DPO Chief, Superintendent of Police (SP) Rabindra Regmi, four persons were killed on the spot while three succumbed to their injuries while undergoing treatment at the District Hospital.

The truck (Ga 1 Kha 8012), ferrying more than 40 persons returning to district headquarters Dhadingbesi after offering prayers at a temple in Jwalamukhi Rural Municipality-4, lost control and tumbled onto the roadside, killing seven and injuring dozens of others, this afternoon, SP Regmi shared.

One of the witnesses said, the accident occurred due to uncontrolled speed in the narrow stretch of road.

Mayor of Nilkantha Municipality Bhim Prasad Dhungana said the municipality will bear helicopter charter cost for airlifting injured persons to Kathmandu.

Road accidents are common in Nepal due to poorly maintained vehicles, pathetic road conditions, violation of traffic rules, driver negligence, among others.