Shimla, Apr 18 (IANS): Eight women were killed and 26 other people were 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.

The victims, most of them close relatives belonged to Ghiana village near Brahampukhar. They were going to attend a marriage function.

"Seven women died on the spot. Most 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.

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.