TIMERGARA: Two children died while another one was hospitalised after eating poisonous mushrooms in Swara Ghundai village here on Wednesday.

Gul Rahim, father of the children, told Samar Bagh police that his children had brought some mushrooms from outside and cooked them. He said that after eating the mushrooms his three children Maryam, 14, Suleman, 12, and Alisha, 6, went unconscious.

They were referred to Peshawar from a nearby hospital due to their critical condition, but Suleman and Alisha died on the way. The third one has been admitted to the Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, where she is still unconscious, the father said.

He said that it was not clear whether the children had themselves picked or someone else had given them the mushrooms. The police collected evidence from the spot and have started investigation.

Dr Khaista Rehman, former head of Talash hospital, told this correspondent on contact that half of a poisonous mushroom was enough to kill a person.

On Aug 13, 2015, three members of a family had died while two others were hospitalised after consuming poisonous mushrooms in Shari Manai village of Lower Dir.

Residents said that mushrooms were found in abundance in most hilly areas during monsoon season and the residents preferred to eat them for their taste and nutrition.

Another doctor said that most of mushrooms growing under trees in shady places were poisonous.

Published in Dawn, August 9th, 2018