Tourist Died as Scorpio SUV Crashes Near Atal Tunnel in Himachal

A 34-year-old tourist from Rajasthan lost his life and three others were injured after a Scorpio SUV met with a serious accident near the north portal of the Atal Tunnel in Himachal Pradesh's Lahaul region on Wednesday.

According to preliminary information, the SUV was carrying four tourists and was travelling from Manali towards Lahaul when the driver allegedly lost control of the vehicle shortly after exiting the tunnel. Initial reports suggest that overspeeding may have been the cause of the accident.

The vehicle veered off the road and plunged onto an under-construction bridge over the Chandra River , suffering severe damage in the impact. The crash triggered an immediate rescue operation, with local authorities and emergency responders rushing to the spot to pull the occupants from the mangled vehicle.

Kailash (34) , a resident of Sikar district in Rajasthan , sustained critical injuries and died in the accident. His death has cast a shadow over what was meant to be a tourist trip through one of Himachal Pradesh's most scenic routes.

The three other occupants of the SUV, Aditya from Lakhimpur, Uttar Pradesh , Rajendra from Sikar, Rajasthan , and the driver Siddharth , also from Sikar , were injured in the crash. They were shifted to a nearby hospital, where they are undergoing treatment. Their condition is reported to be stable.

Police have launched an investigation to determine the exact circumstances leading to the accident. While overspeeding is being treated as the primary cause , officials are also examining other factors that may have contributed to the vehicle losing control.

The accident has once again highlighted concerns over speeding on the mountainous roads of Himachal Pradesh , particularly around high-altitude tourist routes such as the Atal Tunnel , where sharp turns, changing weather conditions, and difficult terrain demand cautious driving.

Authorities have urged motorists and tourists to strictly follow speed limits and drive responsibly while travelling through the region to prevent similar tragedies.