Shimla, Apr 17 (IANS): Seven people were killed and 23 others injured when an over-crowded multi-utility vehicle carrying a marriage party skidded off the road and rolled down a 40 feet deep gorge in Himachal Pradesh Tuesday, police said.
The ill-fated vehicle met with the accident at around 12.30 p.m. at Khalota village near Namhol, some 35 km from the district headquarter town of Bilaspur.
"Thirteen of the injured have been referred to the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh," Superintendent of Police Santosh Patyal told IANS.
He said the victims belonged to a nearby village and were going to attend a marriage function.
Eyewitnesses said the vehicle was overcrowded and the driver probably lost control while negotiating a turn.
Such overloaded vehicles are a common sight in the state, especially during religious and social occasions.