Mob torches tanker after motorcyclist killed in road crash

KARACHI:

Two persons were killed and several chickens crushed to death in separate traffic incidents across the metropolis on Friday, with enraged people setting a water tanker ablaze after it fatally struck a motorcyclist on University Road.

A 45-year-old motorcyclist died after being hit by a water bowser near Sheikh Zayed Islamic Centre in the Mubina Town area, police said. The deceased was identified as Saad, son of Asif. His body was shifted to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.

Following the accident, a mob gathered at the scene and set the tanker on fire. A fire brigade vehicle reached the spot shortly after and brought the blaze under control following a half-hour operation, though the cabin was completely gutted. Police said legal proceedings would commence once the deceased's heirs arrive.

In a separate incident, a 50-year-old woman riding pillion on a motorcycle was killed after being hit by an unidentified vehicle near Seven Day Hospital in the PS Preedy limits. The deceased, identified as Shamim, wife of Farooq, was shifted to Civil Hospital. Police have launched an investigation to trace the fleeing driver.

In a third incident, a speeding truck loaded with chickens from a poultry farm went out of control, mounted the footpath and overturned near Gold Mark on Main Korangi Road. Several chickens were crushed to death under the vehicle. Eyewitnesses told The Express Tribune that the driver was travelling at "extremely high speed" and had a narrow escape with two motorcyclists and a car, moments before the crash.