JHANG:
At least 14 people were killed and 29 others injured in a road accident on Faisalabad Road near Quli Faqeer stop when a speeding passenger van collided head-on with a University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) bus.
Police sources said the van was traveling from Faisalabad to Jhang when the driver tried to overtake a tractor trolley loaded with sugarcane.
During this risky maneuver, the van veered into the oncoming lane and crashed into an oncoming university bus. The UVAS bus was transporting students to Lahore to participate in a sports gala.
Due to the severity of the collision, nine people died instantly and 29 were injured, including three in critical condition.
1122 rescue teams rushed to the scene and shifted the injured to the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital after providing first aid.
Five other injured passengers later succumbed to their injuries in hospital, bringing the death toll to 14.
Deputy Commissioner Ali Akbar and district police officer Bilal Iftikhar reached the accident site soon after receiving information and requested the health authorities to ensure best possible medical treatment to the injured.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif took notice of the incident and sought a detailed report from the district administration.
She instructed the Deputy Commissioner to personally monitor the treatment of the injured and ensure all possible medical facilities.
The deceased were identified as Ali Haider, Faizan, Muhammad Rafiq, Sami Anjum, Rubia and his two-year-old son Muhammad Musa, Kishwar Bibi, Barkat, Abdul Rasheed and his wife Shehnaz Bibi and Sultan Ahmed.
Police have launched an investigation into the incident, while eyewitnesses have blamed speeding and reckless overtaking for the tragic accident.
