Doti, May 21

As many as 12 passengers were injured in a road accident in Doti district this morning. Five of them were critically injured.

Similarly, an 18-month child has gone missing in the accident, according to the Area Police Office in Dipayal. The missing child is identified as son of Surendra Shahi of Chaurpati Rural Municipality in Achham district.

The accident took place when the bus (Na 5 Kha 9663) heading towards Accham from Kailali fell about 200 metres off the road at Gerupani road section of Sikhar Municipality -1.

Preparation is underway to send the critically injured to other health facilitates, outside the district, while the rest of the injured are receiving treated at Shaileshowri Hospital at Pipala, informed Chief of the Area Police Office, Dipayal, Roop Singh Thapa.

The cause of the bus accident is yet to be ascertained. However over-speeding is suspected as one of the reasons behind it. The driver has fled the scene while search for him is underway.