Reckless driving: 14 dead in Hub bus accident

The bus fell into a ditch due to overspeeding.

QUETTA:

At least 14 people were killed and 16 others injured on Sunday when a passenger bus plunged into a ravine near the industrial town of Hub.

The coach was returning to Shahdadkot from the shrine of Shah Noorani when it fell into a ravine near a seasonal river in Veerap, Lasbela district. The driver lost control of the vehicle, while trying to avoid a head-on collision with a motorcyclist.

Rescue workers and police officials reached the spot soon after the deadly accident and shifted the bodies and the injured to a civil hospital in Hub. However, those seriously injured were referred to Karachi.

Police officer Rafiq Lasi confirmed the death toll and injuries but warned that the toll may rise as some of those wounded were in a very critical condition. The coach was completely destroyed in the accident, making it difficult for rescue workers to pull out bodies from the wreckage. Philanthropist Abdul Sattar Edhi also reached the site to participate in rescue operations and announced Rs20,000 each for those injured.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 15^th, 2011.