As many as eight children, including six boys and two girls, were killed in a horrific accident on Tuesday morning at Trasi village, coming under Gangolli police station limits in Kundapur taluk of Udupi district.
As many as 17 children, all aged between five years and 14 years, were on their way to Don Bosco School in Trasi village in an Omni van when a private bus collided with it. The private bus was coming from Trasi to Kundapur. The accident took place at Movady Cross, about 150 metres away from the school.
Eight children, who were severely injured, were rushed to the Kasturba Hospital in Manipal. A hospital officer said that of the eight children rushed to the hospital, seven were brought dead.
As many as six children, of whom two are said to be critical, were receiving treatment at the Paediatric ICU of the hospital. The van driver Martin was receiving treatment at Trauma Wing of the same hospital, he said.
Superintendent of Police K. Annamalai said that as many as six children and the school teacher, Philomena, who is also the wife of the driver, are receiving treatment at the Chinmayi Hospital in Kundapur. The van had taken a right turn and was waiting to go to the school at Movady Cross, when the bus collided with it.
The van’s side indicators were on. The passengers in the bus said that there was poor visibility due to heavy rains in the area. The bus driver abandoned the vehicle and fled from the scene soon after the accident, Mr. Annamalai said.
“Right now, we are giving importance to post-mortem and other details. We will take tough action to see that such accidents do not recur by consulting all stakeholders,” he added.
