Mamata Banerjee
Mamata on Thursday had accused the Centre of "deploying the army" along the toll plazas at highway without informing the state government.Wikimedia commons

Six security personnel were injured after an escort car accompanying President Pranab Mukherjee, West Bengal Governor Kesarinath Tripathi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee fell into a gorge on Friday while on its way to the Bagdogra airport from Darjeeling. The president, governor and CM are safe.

All six persons travelling in the car have been rescued and admitted in a hospital. The rescue operation was overseen by Banerjee herself.

The car skidded off the road while taking a sharp turn at Gorabari near Darjeeling's town of Sonada after which it fell into a gorge.

The chief minister was the first one to alert everyone about the car skidding off the road. The dignitaries were driving down to Bagdogra, where the West Bengal government hosted a reception for President Mukherjee who is on a three-day visit to Darjeeling, NDTV reported.

Banerjee refused to leave for Bagdogra and was in constant touch with the personnel who were waiting for help. She oversaw the rescue operation and thanked the officials for ensuring the safety of the security personnel.

She also announced a reward for the rescue team, according to a tweet by ANI.

President Mukherjee's children – daughter Sharmishtha and son Abhijit – offered a helping hand in the rescue operation. The convoy headed for Bagdogra after halting for a while.