Boy dies, father and brother hurt in Anni car crash

A tragic incident took place in Anni subdivision of Kullu district yesterday, involving a father and his two sons in a serious car accident. The elder son, Aditya (15), lost his life at the scene, while the father, Vijender, and younger son, Naitik (13), were left in need of urgent medical attention as the statewide ambulance service was on strike. Villagers stepped in to transport the injured to a private hospital due to the absence of emergency services. This strike by ambulance workers from 108 and 102 services paralyzed emergency healthcare services in Himachal Pradesh from Thursday night to Friday. The accident occurred on Friday afternoon as the family's Swift car veered off the road and into a gorge near Shupdharthi curve. Despite locals' swift rescue efforts, Aditya passed away, and Vijender and Naitik were rushed to Anni Hospital in a private vehicle before being transferred to higher-level medical facilities in Rampur and Shimla. The disruption caused by the strike affected several districts, with emergency patients facing challenges in reaching hospitals for urgent care. The striking ambulance workers, seeking job regularisation and better working conditions, are threatening an indefinite strike. The tragic loss of Aditya and the difficulties faced by emergency patients due to the strike have raised concerns about the preparedness and resilience of healthcare services during crises.