MUZAFFARABAD: A sightseeing trip by a Rawalpindi-based family turned tragic on Friday afternoon when their vehicle skidded off the road and plunged down a steep slope, coming to rest near the banks of the Neelum River in upper Neelum Valley, leaving a young woman dead and six others injured.

District Disaster Management Officer Akhtar Ayoub said the accident occurred at around 4:30pm when a Toyota Fortuner (ANU-477) was travelling from Taobat to Kelamid a downpour. Near Karimabad, located more than 190 kilometres northeast of Muzaffarabad, the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle, which veered off the road and tumbled down the mountainous terrain.

As a result, 22-year-old Faha Umair, daughter of Umair Yousuf, died on the spot. Among the injured, Samaira, 47, wife of Mr Yousuf; Ruqaiya Umair, 19; Raheema Umair, 17; and Muhammad Sohail, 23, sustained critical injuries. Mr Yousuf, 47, who was at the wheel, and seven-year-old Muhammad Mustafa suffered comparatively minor injuries.

Published in Dawn, April 25th, 2026