LAHORE: Two people were killed while hundreds of others injured in road accidents while celebrating Independence Day on Tuesday.

The emergency wards of the government hospitals witnessed a number of trauma cases after the motorbikes crashed into vehicles and footpaths.

The medical experts said a majority of the injured was of youngsters who were brought with bone and head fractures.

Many of them might face lifetime disability, they said adding that a good number of them were also minors. Most of the injured were shifted to the orthopaedic, neuro and surgical emergency units.

The Mayo Hospital received nearly 100 people with multiple injuries they suffered in road accidents in the city.

Similarly, the Lahore General Hospital, Services and Jinnah Hospital received 100 to 120 patients each.

A rickshaw driver was reportedly killed while four passengers injured after a dumper hit the three-wheeler in Ravi Road area.

The dumper was being driven fast, the police said adding that the rickshaw driver was violating one-way as there was a rush of motorists on the road to celebrate Independence Day.

Identified as Shahid Ali, the driver was transporting some women to their homes at Shafiqabad, the police said.

In yet another incident, a rashly driven car hit the motorcycle, reportedly killing a 12-year-old boy Awais and injuring three other minors.

The car driver fled the scene while police lodged a case against him.

Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2018