As many as nine persons including the driver died and four others were injured when a jeep met with an accident in Doti on Friday.

The deceased have been identified as driver Bishnu Negi, 28, of Kappale, Shikar Municipality-1, Doti, Bishnu Bahadur Magar, 35, Bhim Gharti Magar, 55, Budho Gharti Magar, 50, Gorakh Thapa Magar, 45, Shashi Ram Pun Magar, 48, Lalita Devi Pun, 45, Tek Bahadur Pun Magar, 40 and Chandra Bahadur Gharti Magar, 30, of Bogtan Rural Municipality – 1, according to Inspector Rajendra Bahadur Singh of the District Police Office, Doti.

The incident occurred when the overcrowded jeep (Se 1 Ja 491) en route to Chawara Chautara from Dipayal veered off the slippery road and fell some 400 metres down in Kataigaun Dhar area of Gaguda of Bogtan Rural Municipality – 6 at around 10 pm yesterday.

All the injured persons are said to be in critical condition. They are receiving treatment at the Soojung Hospital in Dipayal.

There were 16 persons onboard the jeep when the incident occurred.

The injured passengers had saved their lives by jumping off the vehicle.

Police surmised that the incident occurred due to overload. RSS