Season's 1st snowfall results in roadblocks, mishaps in Himachal

A Delhi tourist was killed in an accident in Lahaul and Spiti after his car skidded and crashed into a tipper

- HT Correspondent

SHIMLA: A tourist from Delhi was killed after his car skidded on a slippery road in Lahaul & Spiti on Monday even as 15 roads, including two national highways, were closed in the state after the season's first snowfall.

The deceased, identified as Bhishan Garg from Delhi, was driving the car. The car skidded and rammed into a stationary truck near the Snow Gallery and Pagal Nala, ahead of the Rohtang Tunnel in Lahaul Spiti, killing Garg and injuring three other occupants, said officials.

The police said that the accident took place when the vehicle, in an attempt to overtake during a traffic jam, skidded and crashed into a stationary tipper. The impact of the collision was such that all the vehicle's airbags opened up.

Police said that Bhishan Garg, 49, a company owner from Delhi, succumbed to his injuries, while three passengers—Parvez Alam, Lekhraj, and Tarun—were rushed to Kullu Hospital after initial treatment at Rohtang. A fifth passenger, seated in the rear, was unhurt. All were returning from Sissu when the accident took place.