India
The President is safe," 'Pranab Mukherjee's Press Secretary Venu Rajamony said.
Updated : Jul 15, 2016, 04:23 PM IST
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday called up President Pranab Mukherjee and enquired about his well being after a vehicle in his convoy met with accident near Darjeeling.
The President was on his way to Bagdogra airport to fly back to Delhi after a four-day trip to the region when the third car in his convoy skidded off the road and went down a 100-feet gorge, injuring six persons. "The President is safe," Mukherjee Press Secretary Venu Rajamony said.
Visuals of spot in Darjeeling where a car in Mamata Banerjee's convoy fell into a gorge, WB CM reviews rescue ops pic.twitter.com/pNJkiU5Z3F
— ANI (@ANI_news) July 15, 2016
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee thanks rescue team, announces reward. Her convoy car fell into a gorge in Darjeeling pic.twitter.com/GaGCuBjZx7
— ANI (@ANI_news) July 15, 2016
Visuals of the spot where a car in Mamata Banerjee's convoy fell into a gorge, WB CM reviews rescue operations. pic.twitter.com/CaCFE8URhm
— ANI (@ANI_news) July 15, 2016
Due to poor visibility, the car carrying Security Liasion Officer of the Intelligence Bureau and local police officials--skidded off the road while negotiating a bend and hurtled down a 100-feet deep gorge before being stopped by two trees, police.
The personnel were rescued after a 45-minute operation and Mukherjee briefly halted at a safe location. The Rashtrapati Bhavan tweeted, "Car in President's carcade from Darjeeling to Bagdogra goes off road, minor injuries to security personnel; #PresidentMukherjee safe". Mukherjee, 80, later proceeded towards the airport.