Akyab, Arakan State: An army vehicle hit a mother and her son while they were walking along the roadside near Kathey quarter of Akyab yesterday at about 4:30 pm. The son died on the way to hospital.

Azooma Khatun (38) and her 7-year old son hailing from Kathey quarter were returning from the market in heavy rain when the army car C/279 from the Akyab army cantonment hit them. Khatun and her son were flung into a roadside ditch, said a villager.

Villagers of Kathey rushed to the spot and took them to the Akyab general hospital. The son died on the way to the hospital while the mother is still in a critical condition. "I don't believe, she will recover," said Abu Ahmed, Khatun's husband.

The Village Peace and Development Council Chairman and members along with Abu Ahmed reported the accident to the army authorities, but no action was taken. No compensation or money for treatment was offered by the army, he added.