Three killed as passenger vehicle falls into ravine in Lower Dir

At least three people, including a child, were killed and 10 others injured when a passenger vehicle plunged into a deep ravine in Lower Dir area of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa on Monday, Rescue 1122 officials said. According to a Rescue 1122 spokesperson, the vehicle was travelling from the Maidan area to Nambatai when it went off the road after being struck by another vehicle. The deceased included a child, a woman and a man, while the injured comprised men and women, the spokesperson added. Rescue 1122 teams and ambulances were dispatched immediately after receiving the report. The injured were provided first aid at the scene before being shifted to Lal Qila Hospital. Several critically injured victims were later referred to District Headquarters Hospital Timergara on doctors’ advice. Lower Dir District Police Officer (DPO) Surkan Bilal said the injured were provided prompt medical assistance and rescue operations were carried out swiftly at the site. Rescue officials added that emergency teams responded promptly and ensured the timely evacuation of victims to hospital. Read: Police officer martyred, four injured in attack on polio team in K-P The World Health Organisation estimated that more than 27,000 people die each year on Pakistan's roads, while hundreds of thousands are injured, with most victims being between 18 and 45 years old. In November of last year, a deadly collision between a Hiace and a car on the Karak–Indus Highway claimed six lives. In October, at least 15 people were killed and eight others injured when a truck overturned near Tunnel Number Three on the Swat Motorway. Separately, at least 11 people were injured in a severe collision between two Hiace coaches near the Gandi Parana Adda, Lakki Marwat on the same day. Earlier in September, at least 10 people lost their lives and several others were injured in a head-on collision between a passenger van and a trailer on the Indus Highway in K-P's Karak district, according to rescue officials. A similiar incident in January 2025 left 12 people dead and 13 injured when a 22-wheeler lorry lost control and ploughed into multiple vehicles at Ambiri Kala Chowk on the Indus Highway in Karak.