MUKESH SHARMA

Kalimpong, November 01:

A Maruti 800 vehicle bearing no WB 02/Q3315 plunged into River Teesta during which one survived with injuries while the other remains missing. The incident occurred at around 10:30 a.m. near old Teesta Bridge, NH 31A. The driver of the vehicle Ramu Rai aka Purney is feared to have been swept away by the river. However, the passenger Bikash Majhi who was stuck inside the vehicle was rescued by the Teesta- Rangeet Rafting Rescue Team and was further admitted to Kalimpong Sub Divisional hospital.

As per the incident, the vehicle was travelling towards Teesta Bazaar from Melli. Suddenly it lost control and skidded off the road and plunged 100 ft below into the river. It has been informed that the survivor Majhi, has sustained head injuries and is in a critical condition. He has been referred to a hospital in Siliguri. As for the driver, he still remains missing and the search operation is on full swing.

The members of the Teesta- Rangeet Rafting Rescue Team who help rescue the injured were Bikash Thapa, Paras Pradhan, Bijay Pradhan, Yusuf Thapa, Sameer Tamang and Bhanu Gurung.