Five Iraqi women killed in collision with US forces

BAGHDAD - At least five Iraqi women were killed in a traffic collision with a vehicle carrying US forces south of Baghdad Wednesday, police said.

Police told the DPA that at least six Iraqis were injured in the collision, which took place on the highway linking the central town of Hilla with the capital.

A US military helicopter rushed to the scene and transported the wounded to a US military hospital, police said.

“At this time we can confirm an accident near Hilla involving a US vehicle and (a) civilian vehicle,” a spokesman for the US military in Iraq told dpa, adding that more details would follow as US forces submitted their reports.

Traffic accidents involving US military vehicles driving quickly for fear of attack and Iraqi drivers are common, but are rarely fatal.