LAHORE: At least two people were killed and seventeen others were injured Wednesday when a speedy van's tyre deflated causing it to fall into a canal in Lahore.

The incident occurred on Lahore’s Raiwind road when a passenger van coming from Changa Manga burst its tyre at a turning and subsequently fell into a canal. A student was killed on the spot whereas a factory worker died while he was being shifted to a hospital for treatment.

On receiving information, rescue personnel arrived at the scene and the van was pulled out of the canal with the help of a crane.

Seventeen others sustained injuries in the accident out of which eight were provided medical treatment at the site of accident whereas nine others were shifted to Jinnah Hospital.

According to police, the incident occurred due to negligence on part of the van driver. Both the driver and bus conductor have escaped whereas a team has been constituted for their arrest.

Pakistan has one of the world’s worst records for fatal road accidents, blamed on poor roads, badly maintained vehicles and reckless driving.