Road crash leaves 16 passengers injured

Foggy conditions likely to persist for next 24 hours

LAHORE:

At least 16 persons were injured after two passenger vehicles collided on Raiwind Road.

Reportedly, a coaster and passenger wagon collided with each other as they approached Pajian Chowk.

After the crash, the coaster turned over, with 16 people suffering injuries.

Passers-by called rescue teams, who rushed to the spot and shifted the injured to the Raiwind Tehsil Headquarters Hospital. Four victims were discharged after the administration of first aid on the spot.

Meanwhile, at least three people died, whereas 1,132 were injured in 1,084 road traffic crashes (RTCs) in all districts of Punjab during the last 24 hours.

At least 617 people were seriously injured who were shifted to different hospitals, whereas 515 minor injured victims were treated at the incident sites by rescue medical teams.

Official statistics show that 247 RTCs were reported in Lahore which affected 259 persons, placing the provincial capital at top of the list, followed by 91 in Faisalabad with 97 victims and Multan with 76 RTCs and 80 victims.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) predicted that foggy conditions are likely to persist over Punjab for the next 24 hours, said a spokesman for the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) on Friday.

According to an advisory issued by PDMA, the traffic was likely to be affected across Punjab due to fog.

It was also recommended that patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease should carry an inhaler with them at all times. Drivers were urged to never use high beam lights and to use low beam or fog lights in foggy weather.

The PDMA discouraged unnecessary travel in case of fog, recommending travel only in daylight.

The spokesman said that in case of emergency, motorists should call PDMA helpline 1129 and highway or motorway helplines.

He added that District Emergency Operation Centres across Punjab, including PDMA’s Provincial Control Room, were operational 24/7.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 10^th, 2022.