MAWKYRWAT: Two women lost their lives while 10 others including four children were injured when the vehicle they were travelling in ceased to function in the middle of an uphill slope, rolled backwards and fell into a deep gorge.
According to police, the tragic incident occurred at around 10 AM on Saturday when the overcrowded tourist vehicle (ML-05-J-7952) carrying 12 persons suddenly stopped in the middle of the slope due to overloading, and fell into a deep gorge at Mawranglang near Rilang River in South West Khasi Hills.
The two women who died on the spot have been identified as Kwilina Dkhar (60) and Medina Dkhar (45).
The injured were shifted to Mawkyrwat CHC and some were later brought to Civil Hospital, Nazareth Hospital and NEIGHRIMS in Shillong.
Police said that all passengers including the driver were residents of Nonglwai village in West Khasi Hills and also came from the same family.
They were travelling to Mawkyrwat in South West Khasi Hills to visit their relatives at Mawlangwir village.
Meanwhile, a six-year-old boy sustained injuries after he was hit by a truck while walking on the side of the road at Mihmyntdu under Thadlaskein Block, West Jaintia Hills.
The boy, Mili Biam was shifted to Norman Tunnel Hospital, Jowai.