3 people, including a mother and her daughter, died after a Max vehicle fell about 400 feet into a gorge at Harda in Almora district late Wednesday night. A preliminary inspection by the Assistant Regional Transport Office found that the road was narrow and lacked parapets and crash barriers.

ARTO Rashmi Bhatt said darkness also made it difficult for the driver to judge the road properly. She said the families of the deceased would soon receive financial assistance of 2 lakh rupees each.

The crash occurred as the vehicle was returning from Pali village in Pithoragarh after the Bhai Dooj festival. The victims were identified as Basanti Gaida, her daughter Anjali and the driver, Hayat Singh, also known as Suraj Gaida.

Mother and daughter died near home

Basanti and Anjali were reportedly about one kilometre from home when the vehicle plunged into the gorge. Basanti’s husband, Himmat Singh, is ill. Their elder son, Chandan Singh, works at a hotel in Udaipur, while their 17-year-old younger son, Mohan Singh, lives at home.

Anjali was a Class 9 student at Government Inter College Naini Chaugarkha. The deaths of Basanti and Anjali left Mohan and his ill father facing the loss of 2 family members at once. Hayat Singh’s death also brought mourning to his family and the wider Harda area.

Rescue began after villagers discovered the crash

The accident site was isolated, and no one reportedly learned about the crash during the night. The 3 bodies remained in the gorge until villagers discovered the incident on Thursday morning.

Village head Jitendra Rawat informed Dhaula Chhina police and the 108 emergency service. Police personnel and villagers then climbed down into the gorge and recovered the bodies after considerable effort. All 3 had already died by the time rescuers reached them.

The incident prompted grief across the area because all 3 victims were connected to the same locality. It also renewed concerns about safety measures on mountain roads, particularly at locations where vehicles can leave the carriageway during darkness.

Almora has 106 remaining danger zones

Road safety concerns extend beyond Harda. Several roads in Almora district reportedly lack roadside parapets, while dangerous bends and damaged retaining walls remain potential hazards for drivers.

The road safety committee had identified 586 accident-prone locations, or black spots, across the district. Of these, 106 remain classified as danger zones where safety improvements have not reached the expected level.

The available figures also show a rise in deaths despite a slight fall in the number of crashes. Police recorded 23 road accidents and 10 deaths in 2025. In 2026, up to November, the district recorded 22 accidents and 17 deaths.

The number of people injured remained 24 in both periods. Fatal accidents rose from 8 in 2025 to 12 in 2026, while non-fatal accidents fell from 15 to 10.

Someshwar recorded the highest number of accidents in 2026 through November, with 6 crashes and 6 deaths. In Lamgara, 2 crashes claimed 5 lives during the same period.

The figures indicate that fewer reported crashes did not translate into fewer fatalities. The preliminary findings from Harda have therefore placed roadside protection, road width and night-time visibility at the centre of attention.

Conclusion

The Harda crash killed a mother, her daughter and the driver after a Max fell into a gorge. A preliminary inspection identified a narrow road, missing parapets and crash barriers, and darkness as key safety concerns, while assistance for the victims’ families was announced.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Where did the accident occur?

The crash occurred at Harda in Bhainsiyachhana, Almora district.

Q. How many people died?

3 people died: Basanti Gaida, her daughter Anjali and driver Hayat Singh, also known as Suraj Gaida.

Q. What did the preliminary inspection find?

The inspection found that the road was narrow and had neither roadside parapets nor crash barriers. Darkness also affected visibility.

Q. How were the bodies recovered?

Police and villagers descended into the gorge and recovered the 3 bodies after the accident was discovered on Thursday morning.

Q. How many accident-prone sites remain in Almora?

Of the 586 black spots identified in the district, 106 remain danger zones where safety improvements are still inadequate.