A passenger saved the lives of 25 people in Khushab on Tuesday, 10 November 2026, after taking control of a bus whose brakes had failed and steering it to safety near Peel Chowk, police said.

The bus was travelling downhill near Peel Chowk in Khushab district, Punjab, when its brakes reportedly failed, leaving the vehicle speeding towards a deep ravine. The driver, unable to control the bus, jumped out of the moving vehicle and abandoned it, leaving the passengers in grave danger.

One of the passengers acted at once. He took hold of the steering wheel as the bus continued towards the ravine and, in a desperate attempt to stop it, deliberately steered it into a hillside. The bus came to a halt, and a major tragedy was prevented.

Police said all 25 passengers were saved. Another report of the incident described more than 25 people on board, but both accounts agree that every passenger escaped unhurt thanks to the quick thinking of the man who took the wheel.

Police honour the passenger

District Police Officer Khushab Dr Amara Sherazi later invited the passenger to her office and presented him with an appreciation certificate in recognition of his courage and quick thinking. She said protecting human lives and demonstrating bravery in difficult circumstances were commendable acts, and described his intervention as an example of courage and responsibility towards fellow human beings.

The presentation was made in the presence of other police officers, with the passenger accompanied by a child. Police said the certificate was a mark of appreciation for an act that had saved the lives of everyone on board.

The passenger's timely intervention prevented what could have been a devastating accident, and his actions have been widely praised as a remarkable example of humanity, courage and selflessness. He stepped forward at the moment when every second mattered, taking charge of a vehicle that no one else was willing or able to control.

Driver being traced

Police confirmed that the incident occurred on Tuesday, 10 November, and said efforts were under way to trace the driver who fled the scene after jumping from the moving bus. No further details about the driver had been released.

The incident has also raised serious questions about passenger safety and the condition of public transport vehicles in the area. 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 drawn attention to the responsibility of public transport operators and drivers to ensure passenger safety, particularly during emergencies. Police said their enquiries into the incident were continuing.

Beyond the immediate escape from danger, the incident serves as a reminder that the actions of one individual can make a decisive difference in an emergency. The passengers were fortunate to escape without the reported tragedy, and their survival was made possible by a fellow traveller who acted when it counted most.