Five killed as dumper overturns on wagon

Several others sustain serious injuries; reports suggest death toll could rise

RAWALPINDI/HARIPUR:

Five people, including a woman, were killed while several others were seriously injured after a sand-laden dumper truck overturned on a passenger wagon on GT Road, witnesses and police said. There were unconfirmed reports of the death toll rising to 10.

The accident happened due to the carelessness and speeding of the dumper driver. The CCTV footage of the accident also came to the fore. A spokesperson for Rescue 1122 said as soon as the tragic accident was reported near Wah Cantt Barrier No 2, rescuers reached the spot and started rescue operations.

The deceased were identified as 55-year-old Asma Adil, 26-year-old Mohammad Daniyal, 24-year-old Hamid Doultana and 22-year-old Inamullah. Among the injured were 23-year-old Muhammad Ali and 40-year-old unknown person.

With several injured individuals in critical condition, authorities feared the death toll might rise.

The spokesman further said that the rescue personnel immediately shifted the injured to the nearest hospital. More than 15 personnel of Rescue 1122 participated in the rescue operations and shifted the bodies and injured to various hospitals in Taxila, Wah Cantt, Rawalpindi, and Islamabad for medical treatment.

It could be seen in the CCTV footage of the accident that the passenger wagon (license plate 3446) from Taxila to Peshawar was parked on the side of the road for rides. Meanwhile, a high-speed dumper (license plate 1433) coming from behind went out of control while saving a rickshaw and overturned on top of the passenger wagon. The dumper was loaded with sand which caused severe damage.

The AC Taxila closely monitored the rescue operation following the tragic accident in Taxila, ensuring a rapid response.

He visited the accident site to oversee the rescue efforts, instructing teams to provide immediate assistance to the victims. The AC Taxila then visited the THQ Hospital Taxila to assess the medical facilities provided to the injured.

A spokesman of the Rawalpindi traffic police said that their officials remained at the accident site to assist the National Highway and Motorway Police (NHMP). To avoid such accidents, the traffic police restricted the entry of heavy traffic into the city from 11pm to 5am, he said.