Incident Summary
In the early hours of Tuesday, 6 October 2026, a pickup transporting fresh milk from Lalkuan slipped off a mountain road and fell into a steep gorge close to the Kainchi Dham shrine in Nainital district. The vehicle, registered as UK04 CC 3465, left the tarmac at about 02:00 hrs, leaving three occupants injured.
Immediate Villager Intervention
Before the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) could reach the site, nearby residents rushed to the scene and managed to haul all three victims out of the chasm. Their swift action averted a potentially fatal outcome while the official rescue crew was on its way.
Official Rescue Efforts
When the SDRF unit from the Khairna post, led by Sub‑Inspector Devendra Singh, arrived, they coordinated with district police to secure the area. Together they swept the gorge and surrounding terrain to verify that no one else was trapped.
After confirming the site was clear, the injured parties were handed over to medical personnel and taken by ambulance to the nearest hospital for treatment.
Details of the Vehicle and Those Involved
The three individuals in the truck were identified as Ankit Singh, 33, driver Bobby, and a ten‑year‑old boy named Mohammad Saqib. All sustained injuries that required hospital care, but their conditions were reported as stable after treatment.
Search Operations and Ongoing Inquiry
Following the rescue, SDRF teams and police conducted a systematic search of the accident spot and adjacent slopes. Authorities continue to collect evidence to determine why the pickup veered off the road and fell into the gorge. Updates will be issued as the investigation unfolds.
