One person was killed on the spot and eight others injured when the vehicle they were travelling plunged into a deep gorge around 40 feet below the road near Tutheze village under Kiphire district on Tuesday. According to sources, the incident took place at around 8:30 am. The taxi (tata sumo- NL-03-0991) was proceeding towards Dimapur from Pungro. The deceased has been identified as Nongdila, daughter of Tomuku of Pungro.
The injured persons were identified as Ritsu GB (70) Pungro town, son of Mukhe of Salomi village, Thsesumong (51) son of Mujongmong of Amikioro village, Tsamongchi (45) wife of Thsesumong of Amikioro village, Runa Devi (24), wife of Udai Singh, Happy ( 4), son of Udai Singh, Shulila (22), daughter of Kiusangthong of Pungro village, Sukhela (24) daughter of Pensukiu of Pungro village and the driver, Pihoto (28), son of Koshu of Old Vongti village.
Later, Runa Devi and Ritsu GB were airlifted to Dimapur after first aid at Pungro hospital. The conditions of the others were stated to be normal.
The cause of the accident was suspected to be due to technical failure, sources added. Pungro police, public leaders from various organizations rushed to the spot and retrieved the dead body while the injured persons were admitted at the Pungro hospital.