A fatal accident occurred on Monday near the Kallar Kahar Salt Range on the M9 Motorway, resulting in the deaths of six individuals. The collision involved a gas bowser and a private vehicle, both of which fell into a ditch and caught fire. Preliminary reports from the Motorway Police indicate that the brakes of the gas bowser failed, causing it to breach the road divider and crash into the oncoming vehicle.
Details of the Accident
The tragic incident took place when the gas bowser, traveling from Rawalpindi to Faisalabad, collided head-on with a car heading in the opposite direction. According to the Motorway Police, both vehicles caught fire upon impact and tumbled into a ditch, leading to the immediate deaths of all six passengers involved. The deceased were identified as the bowser driver, the car driver, and four members of the same family, including a minor.
Upon receiving reports of the accident, a heavy contingent of Motorway Police and rescue teams rushed to the scene. The spokesperson for the highway patrol confirmed that the bodies were transported to the Kallar Kahar Trauma Centre. Despite their swift response, the fire caused by the collision had already resulted in the bodies being severely burnt, complicating identification efforts.
Recurring Issue of Road Accidents in Pakistan
Road accidents due to mechanical failures are not uncommon in Pakistan. Just last year, in June, a similar tragedy occurred when a passenger bus overturned on the Islamabad-Lahore Motorway near Kallar Kahar, resulting in 12 deaths and 24 injuries. That incident, like the recent one, was attributed to brake failure.
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The ill-fated family was traveling from Lahore to Islamabad when the accident occurred. The collision not only claimed the lives of a couple and their two children but also highlighted the persistent safety issues on Pakistan’s motorways. The Motorway Police reiterated the importance of vehicle maintenance and adherence to safety protocols to prevent such tragic incidents in the future.
Authorities Call for Improved Safety Measures
In light of the accident, authorities are calling for stricter enforcement of vehicle safety standards and regular maintenance checks. The recurring nature of such accidents underscores the need for comprehensive safety measures and increased public awareness about road safety.
The tragic accident on the M9 Motorway serves as a grim reminder of the dangers posed by mechanical failures and the urgent need for improved road safety measures in Pakistan. As the investigation continues, the focus remains on ensuring that such preventable tragedies do not occur in the future, safeguarding the lives of travelers across the nation.