The ill-fated bus (DL-1P-8247) was on its way from Manali to Shimla. It had been hired by 11 newly-married couples who had come here from Bombay after hiring the bus in Delhi. After visiting Dharamsala and Manali, the couples were going to Shimla.

Eye-witnesses, including one of the survivors, told newspersons that the accident took police when a speeding truck tried to overtake the bus. The driver lost control of the bus which hit the parapet and then plunged into the river.

While the body of Anees (24) was recovered from the spot of accident, the body of Jayesh (25) was swept away. Efforts are on to fish out the body at Pandoh dam, 18 km downstream.

All the injured were rushed to district civil hospital, Kullu. According to doctors, all of them, except one, have been discharged.

Deputy Commissioner Prabodh Saxena announced a grant of Rs 5,000 for each of the injured persons.

Saxena, Superintendent of Police Zhoor S. Zaidi, along with policemen and Home Guards jawans, rushed to the spot and began rescue and relief operations.

The Bhakhra Beas Management Board provided a heavy duty crane at the request of the Deputy Commissioner to extricate the bus from the river.

Former Union Communications Minister Sukh Ram and former Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kaul Singh Thakur expressed sympathy with the families of the bereaved.