LAMKA, August 13: A Tata winger bearing regd no AS 11 AC-4881 with 13 passengers on board met with an accident at Tolbung Bangle 6km from Lamka lying between Lamka and Imphal along the Teddinm Road, yesterday.
The accident claimed one life. The victim has been identified as a serviceman of 7th Manipur Riffles, Hav Douzangam Mate (48), son of Zamkhopu Mate, a resident of Sajik Tampak but presently staying at B Aijolon, Ccpur about 2 Km from CCpur police station.
A passenger on board and a witness said the driver had to steer to avoid hitting a drunken man who was blocking the road.
The van fell into a water pool on the roadside.
Another passenger, Paukholian who was sitting in the last line of the ill-fated passenger van said that he and his friend Lallianthang managed to free themselves from the submerged vehicle and were able to clear the vehicle of the children and others with help from the BSF personnel posted nearby.
Unfortunately, they couldn’t free the deceased in time.
He remained inside the water along with the van of which more than 80 percent was submerged in the water for about 10 to 15 minutes.
L Thakpu Kom who was coming from Imphal along the road helped bring the unconscious passenger to CCpur.
Hav Douzangam Baite, who is presently serving in the 7th MR, is survived by his wife Lamneihting and four children of two boys and two girls.
At least two passengers of the ill-fated van are now recuperating at CCpur District Hospital.