Fatal collision: Seven children killed as truck hits school van

LAYYAH: At least seven people were killed while 15 others were injured in a road accident on Multan-Mianwali Road on Friday. Rescue 1122 officials said the accident occurred apparently due to dense fog.

They said that the van was carrying 22 schoolchildren when it collided with a truck. The deceased were identified as Muhammad Subhan, Maryam, Maria, Abdul Samad, Muhammad Maaz, Kamran, and driver of the van Aleem.

Soon after the incident, rescue teams reached the spot and shifted the injured to trauma centre, Fatehpur for treatment. However, the three critically injured kids were referred to Nishtar Hospital while two others were shifted to the DHQ Layyah.

The injured were identified as Umar, Qamar, Shayan, Asad Shahzad, Aisha, Naghma Shereen, Aisha Siddiqa, Irum Shahzadi, Ahmad Raza, Zoha Ayyaz, Abeeha Ayyaz, Shamim Akhtar, Khalida, Fatima and Rehan.

Deputy Commissioner Wajid Ali Shah visited the trauma centre and inquired about the health of injured children. He directed the hospital administration to provide best health facilities to the injured.

Earlier in 2016, at least 10 people including six children died when a fireball erupted as a car collided with a tanker carrying liquefied petroleum gas near Nankana Sahib.

The accident took place as the car of an assistant sub-inspector and a constable travelling to Police Lines in Manawala, the capital of Sheikhupura district, collided with a tanker which caught fire.

The speeding car hit the tanker which was parked on the road leading to Manawala.

A rickshaw carrying 10 school children was also set ablaze while passing on the same road.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 4^th, 2017.