Meghalaya: Two Dead, Several Injured as Church Choir Vehicle Plunges into Gorge in Kynrut
KYNRUT: A tragic accident claimed two lives and injured several others when a Bolero pickup carrying the members of the Kynrud Presbyterian Church choir overturned and plunged into a deep gorge in Kynrut village, West Khasi Hills District, on Sunday.
The choir group was en route to a church service at Nongrilong Presbyterian Church, located in Mawdem, under the Mawthadraishan Constituency, for a scheduled church service when the tragedy struck.
Clement Nongsej, the Sordar (head) of Kynrud, reported that news of the accident reached the village around 11 AM. The vehicle, carrying over 15 passengers, veered off the road at Kyllem village and fell nearly 100 meters into a gorge, allegedly due to brake failure.
Emergency responders, along with villagers, acted promptly to rescue the injured, transporting them to medical facilities, including Kynrud PHC, Mairang Civil Hospital, and Shillong. Despite their efforts, the driver and one choir member tragically succumbed to their injuries.
The accident site’s challenging terrain hindered rescue efforts. Despite the difficulties, villagers worked tirelessly through the night, navigating darkness and isolation to ensure the injured received medical attention.
The incident has left the community in mourning, with condolences pouring in for the families of the deceased. Meanwhile, authorities are investigating the circumstances leading to the accident, with an emphasis on addressing road safety in the region.