Minor among three dead in bus-van collision

KALASHAH KAKU:

At least three people, including a minor child, were killed and 14 others seriously injured when a speeding bus collided head-on with a passenger van near the Ladhike bus stop on the Muridke-Narowal Road on Saturday.

According to rescue and police officials, the accident occurred near Ladhike Gharbi when a bus, travelling from Lahore to Shakargarh, crashed into a van coming from Narowal to Lahore on the opposite carriageway.

The impact of the collision completely destroyed the passenger van.

Two people died on the spot, while another victim succumbed to injuries at the hospital.

The deceased were identified as Muhammad, 10, a resident of Ladhike and Shehzad, 45, a resident of Muridke.

A woman, identified as Gulrez Bibi, later died during treatment at the hospital.

Fourteen passengers sustained injuries in the accident, four of whom were reported to be in critical condition.

The injured were shifted to nearby hospitals, where several remain under intensive care.

Eyewitnesses said the bus was being driven at a high speed on the under-construction road when it veered into the opposite lane, resulting in the head-on collision.

Following the accident, the bus driver abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene.