Identities of deceased, missing and injured identified in Sindhuli accident

KHOTANG: The identities of three people who died and those reported missing and injured in a Sumo accident in Sindhuli on Sunday have been revealed.

The vehicle (Ko 1 Ja 2976), which was travelling from Kathmandu to Khotang, plunged into the Sunkoshi River at Nagathan, Fikkal Rural Municipality-6, Sindhuli.

The deceased have been identified as Yupana Rai, 21, and Lafyang Rai, 19, both from Dube, Lafyang, in Diktel Rupakot Majhuwagadhi Municipality-5, Khotang, and Swastika Bishwakarma, 16, from Indrenipokhari, Khotehang Rural Municipality-6, Khotang.

According to Janak Rai, a local resident of Lafyang, Yupana and Divya were studying in Kathmandu while also doing general jobs. Swastika was preparing for the Secondary Education Examination (SEE) in Kathmandu.

Three people died on the spot when the Sumo plunged approximately 150 metres below the Mid-Hill Highway at Nagathan at around 2:30 a.m.

Three people are reported missing following the accident. According to Deputy Superintendent of Police Prakash Budhathoki of the District Police Office, Khotang, the missing passengers have been identified as Hari Purkuti, 28, Santosh Kumar Mugrati, 26, and Apsara Rai, 22.

The injured have been identified as Samjhana Rai, 38, of Bamrang, Diktel Rupakot Majhuwagadhi Municipality-3, Khotang; her 12-year-old daughter, Shiwani Rai; Ankit Bishwakarma, 13, of Indrenipokhari, Khotehang Rural Municipality-6, Khotang; and the driver, Ashish Bishwakarma, 29, of Siddhicharan Municipality-2, Okhaldhunga.

According to police, driver Ashish remains unconscious, while Samjhana’s condition is reported to be serious. She was airlifted to Kathmandu for further treatment after local health facilities in Sindhuli were unable to provide the necessary care.

Shiwani and Ankit are receiving treatment at Sindhuli District Hospital, said Nirajan Basnet, information officer at the District Police Office, Khotang.

Police said the Sumo left Kathmandu at around 11 p.m. the previous night with 10 people on board, including the driver. Investigators suspect that the driver may have fallen asleep at the wheel, leading to the accident.