KHUSHAB (Web Desk) – In a moment when more than 25 passengers faced the threat of a potentially fatal accident, one man’s courage and quick thinking turned a frightening journey into a story of survival in Khushab.
A passenger stepped forward to take control of a runaway bus after its brakes reportedly failed near Peel Chowk, preventing the vehicle from plunging into a deep ravine.
According to police, the bus was travelling downhill when its braking system failed, leaving the driver unable to control its speed. As the vehicle moved towards the ravine, the driver reportedly jumped out and abandoned the bus.
With passengers facing an immediate danger, one of the travellers took charge of the steering wheel. Rather than allowing the bus to continue towards the ravine, he manoeuvred it towards a hillside, where the vehicle eventually came to a halt.
His timely intervention prevented a potentially devastating accident and helped save the lives of more than 25 people on board, police said.
What followed was recognition of an act that police described as an example of courage and responsibility towards fellow human beings.
District Police Officer (DPO) Khushab Dr Amara Shirazi invited the passenger to her office and presented him with a commendation certificate in appreciation of his bravery.
The DPO said that protecting human lives and showing courage in critical circumstances were acts worthy of recognition.
The incident also raised serious questions about passenger safety and the condition of public transport vehicles. Brake failure on a downhill road can turn an ordinary journey into a life-threatening emergency within moments, leaving passengers with little time to react.
The reported decision of the driver to abandon the moving vehicle has also drawn attention to the responsibility of public transport operators and drivers to ensure passenger safety, particularly during emergencies.
Police said efforts were continuing to trace the driver who fled after the incident.
Beyond the immediate escape from danger, the incident serves as a reminder that the actions of an individual can make a decisive difference in an emergency. While the passengers were fortunate to escape without the reported tragedy, their survival was made possible by a fellow traveller who acted when every second mattered.
