Havelian bus crash and Bhakkar trolley accident: 11 dead, more than 30 injured

Eleven people were killed and more than 30 injured in two road accidents in Abbottabad district and Bhakkar overnight, ARY News reported on Friday 6 November, citing Rescue officials and police. It comes a day after 11 people died near Pakpattan when a Multan to Kasur bus hit a truck.

Havelian Interchange: 7 dead, 27 injured

• What happened: a passenger bus travelling from Gilgit to Rawalpindi had a tyre burst near Havelian Interchange, Rescue officials said. The driver lost control and the bus crashed into a dumper truck.
• Casualties: seven dead and 27 injured. Officials said those killed were residents of Gilgit.
• Hospitals: the injured were taken to DHQ Hospital Abbottabad and Ayub Medical Complex. Families looking for relatives should contact those two hospitals or Rescue 1122.

Bhakkar: 4 dead on Khusor Road

• What happened: a tractor-trolley carrying passengers from Tank to Sargodha overturned near Khusor Road late at night, police said.
• Casualties: four dead, two women and two children, and several injured.
• Case: police registered a case against the trolley driver for alleged negligence.

Three crashes, 22 deaths in two days

With Pakpattan, at least 22 people have died in three crashes on Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa roads since Thursday. The causes are familiar: tyres on long-distance buses, heavy trucks sharing undivided roads with passenger traffic, and tractor-trolleys, which are built for farm loads, being used to carry people.

If you are travelling this weekend

Many people will be on the road for the Iqbal Day long weekend. Before a long trip:

• Check the bus company's vehicle and ask about tyres; avoid buses that overload the roof.
• Never travel in a tractor-trolley; it has no seats, no restraints and tips easily.
• Save 1122 (Rescue) and 130 (motorway police) in your phone.
• Plan fuel for the trip with our fuel cost calculator.