Three die as coach falls into ravine in Malakand

BATKHELA: Three persons, including two brothers, were killed and 21 others sustained injuries when a passenger coach plunged into a deep gorge near Cheena Morr in Malakand Agency.

It was learnt that the coach (KF4651) was taking passengers from Timergara in Lower Dir to Peshawar when its driver Farooq Khan lost control over the steering wheel in a sharp turn and the vehicle fell into the deep gorge.

Two brothers identified as Khursheed and Rauf died on the spot while another passenger Mohammad Wali breathed his last at a hospital in Peshawar. The injured were taken to the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital, Dargai wherefrom two persons, whose condition was critical, were referred to a hospital in Peshawar.

The injured included Khair Laiq Bibi, wife of Mohammad Hussain, Rubina Bibi, wife of Said Ahmad, Samina Bibi, Shamima Bibi, Mahjabin Bibi, wife of Zubair, wife of Mukarram Khan, Hooria Bibi, Sajid, Khan Mohammad, Hashim Khan, Mohammad Ahmad, Ajmir Shah, Mohammad Wali, Salman Khan, Khan Said, Anwar Khan, Hussain Ahmad, and driver Farooq Khan.

After learning about the accident, Additional Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Naeem, Assistant Commissioner Suhail Khan and Subedar Major Dost Mohammad Khan of Malakand Levies arrived at the spot along with Levies men.The Levies men launched efforts to rescue the injured and pull out the bodies.