Kedarnath-bound SUV plunges 50m in Rudraprayag; all five pilgrims rescued
Synopsis
A West Bengal pilgrim vehicle plunged 50 metres off the Kedarnath highway in Rudraprayag at 5 am Sunday, with all five occupants rescued alive by SDRF and police teams. The close call underscores the persistent road safety hazard on Uttarakhand's mountain routes during peak Char Dham season.
Key Takeaways
A Kedarnath-bound SUV (reg.
UP-16 DK 0856 ) fell nearly 50 metres off the road near Tilwara petrol pump , Rudraprayag , at around 5 am on Sunday .
All five occupants — driver Pradeep Kumar and four passengers from West Bengal — were rescued alive.
Two women sustained serious injuries; the remaining three passengers suffered minor injuries.
Rescue was carried out by SDRF , DDRF , police, and 108 ambulance teams, with assistance from local residents.
The injured are being treated at District Hospital, Rudraprayag ; their condition is under close monitoring.
Authorities have urged pilgrims on the Kedarnath route to exercise extreme caution, especially during early morning hours.
A Kedarnath-bound SUV carrying five pilgrims from West Bengal plunged nearly 50 metres off a hilly road in Rudraprayag district, Uttarakhand, early Sunday morning, landing close to a riverbank — but all occupants were pulled out alive. The incident, which occurred around 5 am near the Tilwara petrol pump in Rudraprayag, was swiftly followed by a multi-agency rescue operation.
How the Accident Unfolded
The vehicle, bearing registration number UP-16 DK 0856, was travelling toward Kedarnath Dham when it reportedly lost control on the challenging mountain terrain and veered off the road, tumbling down the slope before coming to rest near the water body. Preliminary assessment by authorities suggests the difficult mountainous conditions may have been a contributing factor, though a detailed investigation is currently underway to determine the exact cause.
Rescue Operation and Injuries
On receiving information, teams from the police, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), District Disaster Response Force (DDRF), and 108 ambulance services rushed to the site and launched an immediate rescue operation. SDRF personnel navigated difficult terrain along the riverbank to reach the vehicle. Local residents also stepped in to assist the rescue teams.
All five occupants — driver Pradeep Kumar and passengers Prince Singh, Sabiya Singh, Sujon Mukherjee, and Riya Mukherjee — were safely evacuated. Two women sustained serious injuries, while the remaining three passengers suffered minor injuries.
Medical Status of the Injured
The injured were shifted to the District Hospital in Rudraprayag, where they are currently receiving treatment. Medical officials confirmed that their condition is being closely monitored. No fatalities have been reported.
Advisory for Kedarnath Pilgrims
Authorities have urged pilgrims and drivers on the Kedarnath route to exercise extreme caution, particularly during early morning hours and in adverse road conditions. Traffic movement on the route was restored after the vehicle was removed from the site. This incident is a reminder of the persistent safety risks on Uttarakhand's mountain highways, which see a sharp surge in pilgrim traffic during the Char Dham yatra season. Police have confirmed that investigation into the incident remains ongoing.
Point of View
And the pattern is consistent: early morning departures, unfamiliar mountain roads, and overloaded or poorly maintained vehicles. The fact that all five survived owes as much to a swift SDRF response as to fortune. Authorities issue caution advisories after each incident, but the absence of stricter pre-departure vehicle fitness checks and mandatory rest stops for overnight travellers means the conditions for the next accident remain unchanged. The Char Dham route demands a systemic safety overhaul, not seasonal reminders.
NationPress
23 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Rudraprayag SUV accident on Sunday?
A Kedarnath-bound SUV carrying five pilgrims from West Bengal lost control and fell nearly 50 metres off the hilly road near the Tilwara petrol pump in Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand, at around 5 am on Sunday. All five occupants were rescued alive by SDRF, DDRF, and police teams.
Who were the occupants of the SUV?
The five occupants were driver Pradeep Kumar and passengers Prince Singh, Sabiya Singh, Sujon Mukherjee, and Riya Mukherjee. All were travelling from West Bengal to Kedarnath Dham.
What injuries were sustained in the Rudraprayag accident?
Two women among the five occupants sustained serious injuries, while the remaining three suffered minor injuries. All injured were shifted to the District Hospital in Rudraprayag and are under medical observation.
What caused the SUV to fall off the road in Rudraprayag?
According to officials, preliminary assessment suggests the vehicle may have lost control due to the challenging mountainous terrain. A detailed investigation is underway to determine the exact cause.
Is the Kedarnath route safe for pilgrims after the accident?
Traffic movement on the Kedarnath route was restored after the vehicle was removed from the site. Authorities have urged pilgrims and drivers to exercise extreme caution, particularly during early morning hours and in adverse road conditions.
