BARIKOT/ BUNER/ THANA:
As many as six people were killed and 42 injured in separate accidents across Malakand Division on Saturday.
In the first incident, five people died while 21 others were injured when an overloaded pickup plunged into a deep ravine in Chagarzai, Buner district.
According to family members of the deceased and injured persons, the vehicle was en route to Torani Dheri from Shangla district when at around 10am it rammed into a power pylon and the driver lost control of the pickup. The vehicle then swerved and fell into a gorge, killing five people on the spot.
Locals started a rescue operation and pulled out the bodies and injured persons including women and children. An official at Daggar Hospital said 10 injured people were shifted to the facility while 11 others were critically injured and taken to Lady Reading Hospital in Peshawar.
Talking to the media, family members criticised the lack of facilities at the local hospital and urged lawmakers to take notice of the situation.
Separately, at least one person died and four others sustained injuries in an accident in Manyar Village of Swat district.
According to Ghalegey police, a truck was attempting to make a tricky ascent on a road but the driver lost control and the truck skidded backwards. It crashed into a wall of a nearby spring where women were washing clothes.
The crash caused the wall to collapse on the women. Seven-year-old Tanzeela died on the spot while four others were injured, said Itabar Ali, a resident of Manyar.
The wounded were rushed to Saidu Teaching Hospital (STH) where they were said to be out of danger. According to the police, the deceased girl’s family did not register an FIR against the driver and therefore he was not arrested.
In yet another road accident, 17 members of a family were injured in Palai mountain of Thana in Malakand when their vehicle overturned.
According to a levies official, a Suzuki carrying a family returning from a wedding ceremony in Zor Mandai skidded out of the driver’s control on the way to Thana and overturned.
The official added that all 17 passengers on board sustained injuries and were shifted to Saidu Teaching Hospital. Four were discharged after receiving first aid. The others were said to be in critical condition.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 10th, 2014.
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