MANSEHRA – A horrific accident on Saturday has left six people dead, including two women, and five others injured as a passenger van plunged off a bridge in the Mansehra region. The van was en route from the Thakot area of Battagram to the Hazara Motorway, a significant route established under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor initiative.
According to a statement from a Rescue 1122 official, the ill-fated van met with the unfortunate incident in the Hathimera area of Mansehra. It was reported that the van, carrying a total of 13 passengers, veered off the road and fell into a ditch. The official cited the initial assessment that the driver had lost control of the steering wheel, leading to the tragic plunge.
Local emergency officer Hafeezur Rehman, part of the Rescue 1122 team, provided insight into the incident. He revealed that the rescue team swiftly reached the accident site, managing to retrieve the deceased and the injured individuals from the ditch where the van had landed.
The injured victims, along with the lifeless bodies of the deceased, were promptly transported to the King Abdullah Teaching Hospital in Mansehra for medical attention and further procedures.
Hafeezur Rehman emphasized that the families of those who had lost their lives and those with injuries have been notified about the unfortunate accident. He assured that after the required medico-legal formalities are completed, the bodies of the deceased will be handed over to their respective families.
This incident comes just weeks after another distressing mishap in the same region. Earlier in the month, a group of 21 family members from Peshawar suffered injuries when the wagon they were traveling in overturned on the Mansehra-Naran-Jalkhad Road in the Balakot’s Sangar area. The family, on a tourist expedition from Peshawar to Kaghan Valley, faced the accident due to the driver’s loss of control while navigating a sharp turn.
Read more: 95-Year-Old Man from Mansehra Marries Again after Wife’s Death
Such unfortunate accidents serve as a stark reminder of the importance of road safety and cautious driving. Authorities continue to stress the need for responsible driving, particularly on routes with challenging terrain. The local community and relevant authorities are left mourning the lives lost in this recent tragedy, while hoping for a swift recovery for those injured.
As investigations continue into the specifics of this heart-wrenching accident, the broader community reflects on the significance of adhering to road safety regulations and promoting awareness to prevent such incidents in the future.
