Overloaded: 12 students injured as bus overturns in Murree

One girl is in critical condition.

RAWALPINDI:

A 40-seater school bus, carrying 92 students, met with an accident on Charhan Road in New Murree on Monday injuring 12 students.

The police said the incident took place in the morning as the bus left for New Murree Bazaar after picking up students from Darakhshan Model School.

The driver lost control over the steering wheel while taking a sharp turn and the bus overturned, stated the police.

“The bus collided with a tree which prevented it from plunging into a ravine,” said New Muree check post in-charge Sub-Inspector Nazir Ahmed. Rescue 1122 shifted the children to Tehsil Headquarters Hospital, he added.

The police official said a case has been registered against the owner of the school identified as Muhammad Tariq as well as of the bus and its driver, who escaped from the scene.

A Rescue 1122 officer told The Express Tribune that the incident happened due to overloading.

Owing to brake failure nine students sustained multiple fractures, while three had minor injuries.

Hospital sources said that the condition of a student is critical whereas the other eight are in stable condition.

Rawalpindi commissioner and Regional Transport Authority secretary were not available for comment.

Rescue 1122 spokesperson Deba Shahnaz said some children were provided first aid on the spot.

The injured include Tania from Chanota, Nimra, Aafia, Hafiza, Asma, Shaista, Kinza, Laiba, all residents of Ukra Kairi, Murree and Hina from New Murree.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 9^th, 2013.