Daily Times

LAHORE: A worker of Rescue 1122 was killed while two other received injuries when a steel ladder of the rescue vehicle came in contact with an open high-tension wire in Iqbal Town on Wednesday.

At least 52 people, including women, have lost their lives during the ongoing monsoon season, while a number of Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) linemen have also died at the hands of faulty high-tension wires during the current year.

Muhammad Muddasar, a rescue driver and resident of Qurban Line, was on his way to duty along with two other workers on a fire call in Iqbal Town area. A steel ladder of the rescue vehicle came in contact with a high-tension wire, killing the driver while shocking the other two rescuers. The high-tension wire had such a strong voltage that the vehicle caught fire after the incident.

Following the recent monsoon downpour in the city, high-tension wires falling in stagnant water have posed an alarming situation for the citizens, claiming the life of Mudassar on this occasion. After the incident, Punjab Emergency Service (Rescue 1122) Director General Brig (r) Dr Arshad Zia and Emergency Services Academy Director General Brig (r) Amir Hamza, along with Deputy Directors Faheem Ahmad Qureshi and Dr Foad Shahzad Mirza, visited Sheikh Zayed Hospital to personally monitor arrangements for the martyred and injured rescuers.

Lahore Emergency Officer Dr Ahmad Raza ensured timely emergency care to the shocked victims. The martyred rescuer would be given a guard of honour by the Rescue 1122 Headquarters. Rescue 1122 DG Brig (r) Dr Arshad Zia, ESA DG Brig (r) Amir Hamza, regional emergency officers, district emergency officer, emergency officers and all senior rescue officers would attend the funeral prayer.

The Rescue 1122 director general on the occasion said that driver Muhammad Muddassar rendered his services with honesty, dedication and devotion ever since he became part of the emergency service. “He sacrificed his life in the line of duty and got martyred. Rescue 1122 shall provide all financial and moral support to his family. Furthermore, the Emergency Services Academy shall also appoint one of his legal heir, as per the government’s policy. Besides that, the injured rescuers shall also be given compensation from the service,” he announced.