Srinagar: On Wednesday, at least six back to back accidents took place on the accident prone patch of the national highway from Hartrath to Singpora.
The police while confirming the incidents said that one of the vehicles was of the Sashatra Seema Bal (SSB) forces.
No injuries were reported. The police however found traces of engine oil on the patch, which according to them is the cause of the accidents.
At around 5 in the morning, at five different spots on the Highway: Baliharan, Hartrath pull, near Singhpora Yateem Trust, Singpora Bazar and Jeel Bridge, accidents had started to take place. The road that was already slippery due to rainfall that had occurred a couple of hours prior to the accidents, became more treacherous due to ‘some vehicle’s engine oil leakage during the night.’
Briefing FreePress Kashmir about the incidents, an official from Police Station Baramulla said that six vehicles (four-wheelers) met with an accident at different connected spots on the Highway. Three among them had turned turtle. Rest of the vehicles had minor damages.
“Among the vehicles, one belongs to the forces. It was SSB’s vehicle. Rest of the cars belong to the locals,” the official said, wishing to stay anonymous.
“We suspect that the accidents occurred due to the rainfall last night. Moreover, we found traces of sticky engine oil on the road. Someone’s car/ oil tanker must have leaked during the night hours. Even they must have been unaware of the leakage. At around 5, the accidents started taking place at different intervals,” said the official.
Locals had informed the police at 6 in the morning. No victim, according to the police had agreed to file a report.
“They didn’t agree to lodge a report. They were in a rush to go. But we fulfilled the formalities,” the official added.
Though police say there were only six vehicles involved, eyewitnesses told FreePress Kashmir that there were at least nine vehicles lying on the roadside while they were travelling from there.
“I was going for work at around 9.30am. Usually we reach Baramulla at 10.15am. Today we reached at 11.30 due to the traffic jam that had taken place because of the accidents,” a frequent Srinagar to Baramulla traveller said.
“I saw at least 9 cars turtled down. Their condition was very bad. I don’t know why it was not reported ,” he/she added.
