‘Reckless’ driver booked for fatal toll plaza crash
Police say they are investigating the accident from different angles as death toll hits 13
File photo of Edhi ambulances. PHOTO: FILE
RAWALPINDI:
The Naseerabad police in Rawalpindi on Tuesday booked the driver of the van, which had crashed into a toll plaza wall and caught fire on Monday afternoon killing 13 and injuring six. The mangled wreckage of the van was also seized.
The driver, who is currently receiving treatment for critical injuries at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims), has been booked for rash driving (Section 279 of the Pakistan Penal Code), causing hurt by rash or negligent driver (Section 337-G of the Pakistan Penal Code), manslaughter (Section 322 of the Pakistan Penal Code), and for mischief causing damage to the amount of Rs50 rupees (Section 427 of the Pakistan Penal Code).
According to the First Information Report, Toll Plaza Briefing Officer Faisal Malik said that he was at the Islamabad Toll Plaza when around 3:35pm, a rashly-driven white Hiace van headed north towards the toll plaza at great speeds.
Malik stated in his complaint that the van driver rashly ploughed into the wall near the booths at the toll plaza exit. As a result of the fierce collision, the Hiace turned turtle in the booth and soon after, it caught fire.
At least 12 people burned to death in Islamabad toll-plaza accident
A Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) fire tender the other fire extinguishers of the police and motorway police were used to put the blaze out. At least nine badly burnt people were pulled from the van and transferred to Pims using the FWO and other ambulances. 10 others, including two young girls, were also dispatched to Pims for treatment.
The FIR further said that the driver of the vehicle had been identified as Syed Aqeel Naqvi.
Police officials later said that they have yet to arrest the driver because he is still receiving treatment for his critical injuries.
Meanwhile, Punjab forensic examiners have collected evidence from the site of the crash to determine the nature of the fire.
A spokesperson for the National Motorways and Highways Police said that they had thoroughly searched the van during which cash, gold and other personal valuables were found. These items, the official said, will be returned to the families of victims after the bodies are identified and the valuables are matched.
He added that apart from the police, the motorway police were also probing the accident by reviewing footage from closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras.
Horrific accident: Survivors recount Sassui Toll Plaza crash
The official added that the footage suggested that the driver had apparently fallen asleep at the wheel due to which the vehicle rammed into the toll booth at great speed.
The causalities happened because the vehicle caught fire immediately after the crash, he said, adding that the incident also caused damage to the booth.
The extent of the damages will be determined by the FWO teams but it is expected that it will be repaired soon and resume operations.
They urged motorists to be careful when driving and keep the speed of their vehicle within the prescribed limits to avoid deadly accidents.
Separately, a spokesperson for Pims confirmed that 13 people had died in the accident. Bodies of the deceased have been handed over to the families after completing legal formalities. The bodies are expected to be taken to their native areas for funerals.
Moreover, six people who had been critically injured in the incident, including the driver Naqvi, are under treatment at the Pims burns centre.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 1st, 2019.
The Naseerabad police in Rawalpindi on Tuesday booked the driver of the van, which had crashed into a toll plaza wall and caught fire on Monday afternoon killing 13 and injuring six. The mangled wreckage of the van was also seized.
The driver, who is currently receiving treatment for critical injuries at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims), has been booked for rash driving (Section 279 of the Pakistan Penal Code), causing hurt by rash or negligent driver (Section 337-G of the Pakistan Penal Code), manslaughter (Section 322 of the Pakistan Penal Code), and for mischief causing damage to the amount of Rs50 rupees (Section 427 of the Pakistan Penal Code).
According to the First Information Report, Toll Plaza Briefing Officer Faisal Malik said that he was at the Islamabad Toll Plaza when around 3:35pm, a rashly-driven white Hiace van headed north towards the toll plaza at great speeds.
Malik stated in his complaint that the van driver rashly ploughed into the wall near the booths at the toll plaza exit. As a result of the fierce collision, the Hiace turned turtle in the booth and soon after, it caught fire.
At least 12 people burned to death in Islamabad toll-plaza accident
A Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) fire tender the other fire extinguishers of the police and motorway police were used to put the blaze out. At least nine badly burnt people were pulled from the van and transferred to Pims using the FWO and other ambulances. 10 others, including two young girls, were also dispatched to Pims for treatment.
The FIR further said that the driver of the vehicle had been identified as Syed Aqeel Naqvi.
Police officials later said that they have yet to arrest the driver because he is still receiving treatment for his critical injuries.
Meanwhile, Punjab forensic examiners have collected evidence from the site of the crash to determine the nature of the fire.
A spokesperson for the National Motorways and Highways Police said that they had thoroughly searched the van during which cash, gold and other personal valuables were found. These items, the official said, will be returned to the families of victims after the bodies are identified and the valuables are matched.
He added that apart from the police, the motorway police were also probing the accident by reviewing footage from closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras.
Horrific accident: Survivors recount Sassui Toll Plaza crash
The official added that the footage suggested that the driver had apparently fallen asleep at the wheel due to which the vehicle rammed into the toll booth at great speed.
The causalities happened because the vehicle caught fire immediately after the crash, he said, adding that the incident also caused damage to the booth.
The extent of the damages will be determined by the FWO teams but it is expected that it will be repaired soon and resume operations.
They urged motorists to be careful when driving and keep the speed of their vehicle within the prescribed limits to avoid deadly accidents.
Separately, a spokesperson for Pims confirmed that 13 people had died in the accident. Bodies of the deceased have been handed over to the families after completing legal formalities. The bodies are expected to be taken to their native areas for funerals.
Moreover, six people who had been critically injured in the incident, including the driver Naqvi, are under treatment at the Pims burns centre.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 1st, 2019.