Tragedy: Eight killed, five injured as jeep falls into Neelum River

MIRPUR:

At least eight people were killed and five others were injured when a jeep fell into Neelum River in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Thursday.

The incident, which is the second of its kind in the past four days, has spread panic among the locals.

According to AJK Transport Authority Secretary, Adil Mahmood, the private jeep, having 13 passengers on board, was on its way to Keil Town from Marnaath village when it skidded off road and fell into river while taking a sharp turn.

The bodies were recovered by rescue workers, while five injured persons were taken to a hospital in Keil in serious condition.

The deceased include Muhammad Hussain, Mir Fateh Ali, Mir Alam, Muhammad Zaman and Rukhtaj Bibi, who belong to Keil and its adjoining areas.

Earlier, a man was killed and several others were injured when an overloaded jeep skidded off Neelum Road and crashed into a house on Monday. Among the 35 injured, 13 were hospitalised while the rest were released after receiving first aid.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 18^th, 2012.