Crash: Man injured in accident with US embassy vehicle

The US embassy official was advised by police to remain in his car to avoid any untoward situation.

ISLAMABAD:

A government employee was injured in an accident with a car of United States embassy near Beverly Centre in Blue Area on Saturday.

Maqbool Ahmed, a driver of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, injured his ankle after crashing his motorbike into a Honda Civic (MK-743) while taking a U-turn on Jinnah Avenue, police said. His wife and two children were also riding with him but did not suffer injuries. The car was being driven by US Embassy’s First Secretary Carlos.

After the accident people gathered at the site and the US embassy official was advised by the police on phone to remain in his car and lock his doors to avoid any untoward situation. He was rescued by the police who arrived at the scene within minutes.

Ahmed was shifted to Polyclinic Hospital to get treatment for his ankle, while Carlos was taken to the Kohsar Police Station. Ahmed claimed the US official had hit him from behind and thus was to be blamed for the accident.

However, the police said that evidence suggested Ahmed was at fault, as the bike had crashed into the rear right door of the vehicle. Carlos told police that he was driving within his lane and in the designated speed limit.

Carlos was later released after the police determined that he was not at fault. Police officials approached the US embassy to complete legal requirements. A police official said that the embassy was cooperative and it was likely that Ahmed would be paid compensation.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 13^th, 2011.