SAHlWAL: At least 11 people were killed and 33 others sustained critical injuries when a Kasur-bound bus collided with a truck near 17/SP on Depalpur Road on Thursday evening.
According to reports, the impact of the collision was so severe that the bus overturned after hitting the truck. Local villagers and passersby gathered at the scene and helped the injured.
Later, Rescue 1122 personnel continued the rescue operation for nearly two hours as several passengers remained trapped inside the mangled structure of the bus. They used cutting equipment to remove iron seats and other parts of the vehicle to rescue the injured passengers.
Eyewitnesses said the accident apparently occurred due to speeding by bus driver on the single-carriageway.
Following the tragedy, Pakpattan Deputy Commissioner Asif Raza declared emergency at all hospitals across the district and directed doctors and paramedical staff, including those on leave or off duty, to report immediately for emergency services.
It is learnt that all of the fatalities were male, while no female passenger had been reported among the dead till the filing of this report. Two critical patients were referred to the Sahiwal Teaching Hospital.
Talking to Dawn, the DC said that emergency services were ongoing at both the emergency and other adjacent wards of hospitals.
District Police Officer (DPO) Javed Chadhar also rushed to the accident site and monitored the rescue operation.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also took notice of the incident and directed the DC to personally supervise the rescue efforts, emergency services and ensure the best possible medical treatment for the injured passengers.
In her condolence message, the chief minister expressed deep sorrow and sympathy with the bereaved families.