Five injured after car from President's convoy falls into gorge

Five people have been reportedly injured after a car in President Pranab Mukherjee’s convoy skidded off the road this morning and went down a cliff.

President Pranab Mukherjee was on his way to Bagdogra to catch a flight to Delhi.

The accident happened near Sonada when the third vehicle in the Presidential convoy slipped off the road and fell down.

The convoy also had West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee who was also travelling along with the President to Delhi to attend the Inter state council meeting tomorrow.

Among those injured was A P Singh, Chief Security Liaison officer of the President.

Heavy rains and thick fog had led the President to take a road trip on his return leg as Indian Air Force helicopters could not operate.

Unfortunate accident involving escort vehicle in convoy enroute to Bagdogra today ;everybody well by grace of God #PresidentMukherjee

— President of India (@RashtrapatiBhvn) July 15, 2016

Army personnel along with those working in the Presidential Secretariat were engaged in the rescue operations.

Banerjee was personally supervising the operation while the President had been halted at a safe location ahead.

His Press Secretary Venu Rajamony said the “the President is safe”.

Member Parliament and the President’s son Abhijeet Mukherjee also assisted in the rescue operation.