Tributes have been paid to a young British hiker who was among 19 people killed when a packed passenger bus veered off a treacherous stretch of road and plunged 200 metres down a steep mountainside in Nepal. The pre-dawn crash occurred on Monday in the Himalayan foothills, leaving 25 others injured.
Details of the Tragic Incident
The bus was carrying 44 people, including a number of tourists, when it veered off the road at Behighat in Dhading district, 50 miles west of Kathmandu. Police spokesperson Prakash Dahal stated that the vehicle "went out of control" while travelling overnight from the popular lakeside tourist city of Pokhara to the capital.
Victims and International Impact
Dominic Ethan Stewart, from Exeter, was an enthusiastic hiker who had just completed the Annapurna Circuit, a gruelling high-altitude trek in the Himalayas. His family described him as a "very loving and caring young man who was happiest trekking," and he would have turned 24 next month.
A Foreign Office statement confirmed support for his family and contact with local authorities. The dead also included a 40-year-old Chinese woman and a 32-year-old man from India, while a 27-year-old New Zealand woman and a 12-year-old Chinese child were among the injured.
Rescue Efforts and Challenges
The bus hurtled down the steep slope and landed on its side on the banks of the Trishuli River, with its frame mangled and windows shattered. Rescuers worked through the night to reach trapped survivors, but their efforts were hampered by a lack of equipment and the remote location.
Police superintendent Sumit Khadka told Nepal's state news agency RSS: "We did not have any equipment that could immediately lift or cut through the metal. We spent a long time consoling the victims."
Investigation and Road Safety Concerns
Nepal's Home Ministry has set up a five-member taskforce to investigate the accident. The crash occurred on a narrow stretch of road notorious for its vertiginous drops, deep valleys, and tight bends.
Vehicle accidents are frequent on Nepal's twisting mountain roads, which are often poorly maintained. Overcrowded buses, ageing vehicles, and lax enforcement of road safety rules compound the dangers. Last year, during the monsoon, a landslide swept two passenger buses carrying more than 50 people into the same river, with only three survivors reported to have swum to safety.
Broader Implications
This tragic event highlights the ongoing risks faced by travellers and locals on Nepal's hazardous roads. The international community mourns the loss of lives, including that of the dedicated British hiker, whose passion for adventure ended in this devastating crash.
