Kallar Kahar tragedy: ‘Criminal’ negligence led to accident

Motorway police nominate bus owner, station manager as accused in FIR

RAWALPINDI:

The tragic accident in the Salt Range portion of the Islamabad-Lahore Motorway that claimed 13 lives was a result of ‘criminal’ negligence, according to the complaint filed by the motorway police at the Kallar Kahar police station.

The complaint noted that passengers had notified the bus owner as well as the station manager that the vehicle had complications but their concerns were dismissed.

At least 32 people were on board the bus which lost control near Point 224 of the Lahore-Islamabad motorway and crashed through the safety barrier and also crushed an oncoming vehicle on the other track of the highway.

The Salt Range patch is a 10-kilometre track with a 7 per cent downward slope. Here, speed limit for heavy transport vehicle is as low as 30 km at certain parts. The M2 (South) Point 231 to Point 222 is called as the ‘red zone of motorway’. It is full of sharp turns and slopes, with the majority of the accidents due to brake failure.

The initial assessment of the accident suggested that brake failure and inability to slow down the vehicle at one such sharp turn led to the fatal accident.

The first information report (FIR) names the owner of the Shalimar Transport Company, the manager of the terminal in Rawalpindi from where the bus departed, manager of the bus company’s station and the motor vehicle examiner as those who are responsible for the accident.

The FIR also named the bus driver Farhat Abbas. His body was later identified by his family from among those killed in the accident.

The FIR, quoting survivors of the accident, said that it occurred due to the driver’s negligence, carelessness and speeding, as well as due to driving the vehicle at the behest of the bus owner and the station manager despite it not being fit for travel.

A spokesperson for the Motorway Police said that they had inspected the vehicle upon its arrival at the Islamabad toll plaza. They said tha its fitness certificate, tyres, lights, etc. were reviewed and the speed during the journey was also normal.

However, one passenger told The Express Tribune that usually personnel of the Motorway Police film the passengers at check posts but that did not happen. He added that they could have raised their concerns with motorway personnel if they had the opportunity. “They also failed to identify the problem in the vehicle” the passenger added.

Another passenger, who said he himself was a driver, said the bus had its air conditioning service at the previous stop which delayed its departure.

He said the driver was trying to catch up on lost time and had used the third corner lane on a couple of occasions. He said he was about to point it out to the driver when the accident occurred.

Initially, it was also reported that the driver had told passengers that they were headed for an accident due to brake failure and they should say their prayers. The passengers The Express Tribune spoke to said the driver made no such statements.

In February, at least 14 members of a wedding party, including women and children, were killed and 64 people were injured after a bus fell into a ravine and overturned near Kallar Kahar. The bus also hit two others cars.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 19^th, 2023.