MANSEHRA: Two students were killed when a speeding car driven by an underage driver struck them in Balakot on Sunday.

“The car struck two students to death, and the driver sustained injuries when the vehicle fell into a ravine after hitting the people,” SHO Balakot police station Faisal Khalil told reporters.

The car on its way to Mansehra from Balakot went out of the driver’s control owing to speeding and ran over Mohammad Hazika, a first-year student, and Qamar Ali, a ninth-grader, leaving them seriously injured. Local residents rushed them to the Civil Hospital Balakot, where doctors pronounced them dead. The bodies were handed over to families.

The injured driver, Abdullah, stated to be 15 years of age, was referred to King Abdullah Teaching Hospital in Mansehra. His condition was reported to be stable.

The Balakot police lodged an FIR and initiated an investigation to determine the exact cause of the accident.

Family members and relatives of the deceased protested, demanding exemplary punishment for the driver.

“The reckless driving of the underage car driver has taken the lives of our loved ones. The police must arrest him immediately and ensure he faces justice,” said Mohammad Munsif, an uncle of one of the victims.

Meanwhile, a man was killed and another injured when a speeding motorbike collided with another in Khaki area.

They were rushed to King Abdullah Teaching Hospital, where doctors pronounced Mohammad Ayaz dead. The injured was identified as Ayaz’s friend, Adil.

Published in Dawn, December 23rd, 2024