CHAKWAL: A student of 10th class was killed while seven others were injured as a recklessly driven bus hit their van from behind near Dohman village some 30km away from Chakwal city on Friday.

Mohammad Rizwan, 17, died on the spot while seven other students, including four girls, were injured.

Both vehicles carrying students were heading towards Khanpur village. When the school van was travelling on Dohman Bridge, the bus hit it from the behind.

According to police sources, there were 22 students on the van. The boy who died on the spot was standing on the foot-pad of the van.

 After the accident, the police, personnel of Rescue 1122 and other officials concerned reached the site. The injured were rushed to District Headquarters Hospital Chakwal where an emergency was declared. District Coordination Officer (DCO) Asif Bilal Lodhi visited the hospital and inquired after the injured.

Due to their critical condition, two students - Sidra Batool and Ali Hamza - were referred to Rawalpindi.

“Sidra Batool suffered spinal injury while Ali Hamza received chest and arm injuries. Due to their critical condition we referred them to Rawalpindi,” Medical Superintendent Dr Ahsan Naveed Malik said while talking to Dawn.

He added that the other five injured were discharged after initial treatment.

The bus driver, who was identified as Asadullah, managed to escape from the scene.

“The accident occurred due to the negligence of the bus driver as he hit the van from behind,” Investigation Officer Mohammad Riaz told Dawn.

Published in Dawn, November 16th , 2014