BARA: At least 16 people sustained injuries in a jeep accident in Jitpur Simara Sub-Metropolitan City-22 of Bara district along Pathlaiya-Hetauda road section of the Prithvi Highway on Wednesday.

According to police, the overloaded pick-up jeep (Ba 5 Cha 5450) heading towards Pathlaiya from Hetauda lost balance causing the accident.

The injured are undergoing treatment at Alpine Hospital in Simara and other health facilities based in Birgunj. Out of the total injured, two have sustained critical injuries, informed Police Inspector Subhash Hamal at Area Police Office, Simara.

The driver of the ill fated vehicle took advantage of a transportation strike in the region enforced by Nepal Independent Drivers’ Struggle Committee today, and overloaded the jeep with passengers, witnesses said.

Meanwhile, the victims who are undergoing treatment at Alpine Hospital accused the driver of over speeding in a nearly clear road stretch.