Tragedy: Motorway collision kills three, injures dozens

Teams from Rescue 1122, Red Crescent and Edhi participated in the rescue operation

ISLAMABAD: At least three people were killed and 27 others injured in a collision between a passenger bus and a dumper on the motorway near the Islamabad Interchange, according to Rescue 1122 officials.

The incident took place when a passenger coach (LES-1322) rammed into a dumper truck (J-3839) some three kilometres from the Islamabad Interchange on Friday. According to passengers, the driver of the coach was asleep at the wheel and hit the dumper truck from behind.

Spokesperson at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences Ayesha Ishani told The Express Tribune that the deceased and injured were brought to the hospital. She said one of the injured later died at the hospital, adding that passengers with minor injuries had been sent home after treatment.

The deceased were identified as Farhan Nasir, 37, and Farzana, 25.  The injured identified thus far include: Zahid, 35, Rizwan, 22, and Ismail, 25.

The coach driver and a road hostess are said to be in critical condition, according to Rescue 1122 spokesperson Rana Waqas.

Teams from the Pakistan Red Crescent Society and the Edhi Centre also participated in the rescue and relief operation. Traffic on the thoroughfare remained jammed for several hours due to the accident.

In a similar accident last month, at least six people were killed while over a dozen suffered injuries when a coaster rammed into a van at Fateh Jhang Road near Tarnol area.

The accident occurred when the driver of the coaster overtook a car and collided with the van coming from the opposition direction.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 23^rd, 2015.