As many as 44 persons were killed, while 317 others sustained injuries in road accidents across the district in 2018.
Official details revealed that a total number of 205 road accidents took place across Poonch district in 2018. Among these, 30 were fatal.
In the fatal accidents, 44 persons lost their lives, including 35 men and 9 women. In the non-fatal accidents, 244 men and 73 women sustained injuries.
“Most of the accidents across the district involved light motor vehicles, including two-wheelers and cars. This is a serious cause of concern,” officials said, adding that the maximum number of accidents happened in Mendhar sub-division, followed by Surankote and Poonch town area.
In Mendhar, above 20 accidents involving Tata Sumo vehicles were registered in 2018 by the police.
Talking to Greater Kashmir, but on the condition of anonymity, officials said that like Rajouri district, Poonch also lacks necessary healthcare arrangements to deal with road accidents.
They said that the highway stretch between Bhimber Gali and Surankote witnessed several accidents. “Due to lack of proper healthcare facilities, several lives were lost. Also, army provided help and managed to save a lot of people as well,” they said.