Five people were injured when a vehicle in President Pranab Mukherjee’s convoy skidded off the road this morning and went down a cliff, 30 kms from Darjeeling .The President 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.

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.

Army personnel along with those working in the Presidential Secretariat were engaged in the rescue operations. President’s Press Secretary Venu Rajamony said the Mr Pranab Mukherjee is safe.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to President Pranab Mukherjee and enquired about his well being, after the convoy accident in Darjeeling. In a tweet, President Pranab Mukherjee said, he has proceeded to Bagdogra to emplane for Delhi after ensuring injured security personnel safe and have received medical attention.