Highway Horror: Two Dead, 12 Injured After Heavy Billboard Falls From Truck, Crushing Minibus

A devastating multi-vehicle crash on Highway 5 near the Glilot Interchange has resulted in the deaths of two residents of Ar'ara and injuries to 12 others. The fatal accident, which involved a truck, a minibus, and several other vehicles, appears to have been caused by a heavy object falling off a truck and striking a passing minibus.

The two fatalities were identified as Rima Fouad Malham, 24, and Hamza Malham, 48, both from Ar'ara in Wadi Ara. Hamza Malham was reportedly driving the minibus in which Rima was a passenger.

The catastrophic incident occurred on Thursday between the Glilot East Interchange and the Kfar Hayarok Interchange, near Ramat HaSharon. Eyewitnesses reported seeing a heavy iron object, possibly a billboard or signage, fall from a crane truck and directly impact the passing minibus.

Emergency medical teams arrived at the chaotic scene and pronounced Hamza Malham dead immediately. Rima Malham was initially treated but succumbed to her severe injuries shortly after during evacuation.

Of the 12 additional people injured, the condition of three was initially described as serious, with the remaining suffering light to moderate injuries. The injured, including a 24-year-old woman with a head injury and a young man and woman in their 20s with head and limb trauma, were transported to several area hospitals, including Ichilov, Sheba, Beilinson, and Meir. Ichilov Hospital confirmed that one of the two female patients they received was in serious condition.

Initial assessments indicate the accident occurred when the crane truck, which was carrying three large billboards, was traveling eastward in the left lane. Simultaneously, the minibus was traveling in the opposite, westward lane. As the vehicles passed each other, one of the heavy signs fell from the truck and struck the smaller passenger vehicle.

Rescue workers described the tragic scene. Medics from the emergency response organization reported: "This was an accident involving a conveyance vehicle and a number of other vehicles. Passersby reported that the accident occurred after a heavy iron object, possibly a billboard, fell from a truck onto the conveyance vehicle."

Police and rescue forces were working at the scene to clear the wreckage and investigate the exact circumstances of the accident. The incident caused massive traffic congestion in the area.