In a devastating turn of events, six innocent lives were lost when a school bus overturned in Mahendragarh, Haryana. It has been revealed that locals, alarmed by the driver's inebriated state, intercepted the bus and seized the keys. The school management, once informed, assured the villagers that the driver would be dismissed, persuading them to return the keys. Had they heeded the villagers' concerns, six children's lives could have been saved.
In the school bus accident in the district of Mahendragarh, Haryana, six children perished while more than fifteen sustained severe injuries. Following the incident, Education Minister Seema Trikha arrived in Rewari and Mahendragarh, condemning the negligence that led to opening the school on a holiday. Legal action will be initiated against the bus driver, the school principal, and the operator.
Source: aajtak
What led to this tragedy? Could it have been prevented? Whose negligence was at fault? Direct inquiries with eyewitnesses at the scene shed light that the villagers had confronted and stopped the bus, confiscating the keys from the driver who was under the influence of alcohol.
The villagers were assured over the phone by the school management that the driver would be replaced and that they could trustingly return the keys. Shortly after, the driver continued the journey and lost control of the bus near Uhani village, causing the vehicle to collide with a tree.
The accident occurred at a turn near the Kanya Mahavidyalaya on the road from Kanina to Dhanonda. The shock and grief were palpable across social media, where images of the crash site began to circulate. The incident has sparked mourning everywhere, raising the question of how someone could be so heedless with the lives of innocent children.
43 children were aboard the school bus on a holiday.
GLP School in Kanina was open despite the holiday for Eid. The school bus driver was en route with 43 children from different villages when the dire accident took place. Villagers regretting their decision to return the keys reflects on the sorrowful reality that had they not, lives may have been spared.
Upon notification of the incident, Education Minister Seema Trikha reached Rewari and Mahendragarh to offer her condolences to the families of the deceased and to check on the welfare of the injured children, who were admitted to a private hospital in Rewari. The Minister asserted that proceedings would be initiated not only against the bus driver but also against the school principal and the operator.
Source: aajtak
The Prime Minister expressed sorrow over the incident.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed his grief over the incident via tweet, extending his condolences to the affected families. Government officials and local representatives are visiting hospitals to check on the children.
Monika Gupta, Deputy Commissioner of Mahendragarh, stated that investigation reveals shortcomings for which action is being taken. A recommendation to revoke the school's recognition has been made. A safety campaign for buses will be launched, ensuring no negligence occurs in any school's transport operations.
What did the uncle of a child who lost his life in the accident say?
The uncle of a student who died in the accident lamented that the school's neglect led to the tragedy. Untrained drivers were being employed to operate school buses, leading to fatal consequences. He mentioned that the drivers, often intoxicated, are hired for low wages. His nephew was in ninth grade. Numerous children fell victim to this accident.
Following orders from the Transport Minister, Asim Goyal, swift action was taken against the Assistant Secretary stationed at the Mahendragarh RTA office. Assistant Secretary Pradeep Kumar was immediately suspended for failing to control vehicles without valid documents on the roads within the district.
