The two victims of the deadly vehicle accident on Thursday on Route 5 between the Glilot East and Kfar Hayarok Junctions near Ramat Hasharon were identified as Rima Fuad Malham, aged 24, and the driver of the minibus, Hamza Malham, aged 48, both residents of Arara in Wadi Ara. The accident was caused by a large sign that fell from a truck onto the minibus.
Nine others were injured, one critically, one seriously, and seven lightly. The victims were evacuated to Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv, Sheba Tel Hashomer, Beilinson Hospital in Petah Tikva, and Meir Medical Center in Kfar Saba.
An initial investigation found that an iron billboard fell from a truck that was traveling westbound and hit the minibus, which was traveling in the opposite direction. The truck driver, a 28-year-old from Kafr Manda, was arrested following efforts to locate him.
Yisrael Biton and Yisrael Peretz, United Hatzalah EMTs who responded to the scene, shared: "This was an accident involving a minibus and a number of vehicles. Passersby said that the collision occurred after a large iron object (signpost) weighing a great deal fell from the truck onto the minibus. Unfortunately, the vehicle's driver was declared dead due to the type of severe injuries he suffered from. In addition, we provided initial medical treatment at the scene of the accident to eight people who were moderately and lightly injured. Firefighters are operating at the scene due to the type of collision."