Van accident claims 3 lives

RAWALPINDI:

A passenger van plunged into a river near Azad Patan Girari Bridge in Kahuta tehsil, killing three passengers, while the driver, conductor and five others managed to escape with injuries.

Rescue 1122 teams recovered the bodies and pulled the van out of the river with a crane.

City Traffic Police examined the site to determine the cause of the incident. Chief Traffic Officer Rawalpindi Farhan Aslam said no brake marks were found on the road, suggesting the accident may have occurred due to alleged driver negligence, though investigations are ongoing.

According to sources, the Toyota Hiace (7599) was travelling from Hajira, Azad Kashmir, to Rawalpindi.

Driven by Idrees and accompanied by conductor Basit, it initially carried five passengers. Nine more boarded en route.

Near Azad Patan Girari Bridge, the vehicle went out of control and fell into the river.

Eyewitnesses said only a portion of the van's roof remained visible after it sank.

SHO Kahuta Aamir Khan reached the site along with police and Rescue 1122 teams and launched a rescue operation. The driver, three passengers and conductor Basit were able to escape but were injured. The conductor's condition was critical.

Rescuers recovered the bodies of 60-70-year-old Fatima, her 50-year-old son Naeem, and 22-year-old Adeel, along with the submerged vehicle.

Police and Rescue 1122 said four to six passengers — including 32-year-old Umar Hayat, 15-year-old Aamir, Sagheer and Adnan — are still missing. More than 25 rescuers, divers, a water team, six ambulances and an emergency vehicle are taking part in the search operation.