Two children were killed and many others injured when a school bus overturned on the outskirts of Warangal town here on Thursday.
D. Sirisha (14) of Class IX died instantly and two children C. Sai Kumar (14) and Sagarika (12) sustained severe injuries when the school bus belonging to Vidyabhi Vardhini turned turtle near Urs area. Sai Kumar succumbed on the way to Hyderabad while Sagarika lost a part of her left arm. In all, 13 children were injured.
According to the police, the actual bus driver was on leave for two days and the cleaner named Siva who was drunk drove the bus. The bus was also in a poor condition, they said. District Collector Rahul Bojja rushed to the hospital where members of ABVP and AISF gheraoed him demanding action against RTA officials and suspension of DEO.
The student leaders alleged that many schools were operating abandoned buses purchased from Tamil Nadu by applying a fresh coat of paint. “No action is taken by the RTA officials or Education Department officials,” AISF leader Khardi said. Hyderabad Special Correspondent adds: The Andhra Pradesh Child Rights Association has demanded de-recognition of the school whose bus met with an accident.
The association moved the AP State Human Rights Commission and got the directions to Mr. Bojja to submit a report within two weeks. President of the association Achyuta Rao said accidents of school buses had become common in the State resulting in killing of children.
He alleged that the bus was not road-worthy and the mishap occurred due to failure of its brakes. He also demanded payment of compensation of Rs.3 lakh each to the families of children killed in the accident.
