Date:09/08/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/08/09/stories/2007080955950600.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Miraculous escape for 40 schoolchildren as bus overturns on Yerajarla-Ongole road

Special Correspondent

Some 18 children who suffered minor injuries admitted
to government hospital

ONGOLE: About 40 children had a miraculous escape when a school bus in which they were travelling overturned after hitting a motorcycle on Yerajarla-Ongole road on Wednesday morning.

According to police, 18 children suffered minor injuries and they were admitted to government hospital. Later, they were shifted to private hospitals.

The bus belonging to Global School was reportedly going at high speed when it fell into a ditch near Bhagiratha Chemicals. The driver lost control and hit a stationary motorcycle parked outside the factory.

Workers of Bhagiratha Chemicals rushed to the scene, broke the glass panes and rescued the children. They took them to government hospital in the factory vehicle.

The school warden was reportedly driving the bus as the driver did not turn up for duty on Wednesday. However, the police said that they can not confirm this as the driver was still at large.

The District Legal Services Authority two days ago alerted both the police and transport departments about several school buses running in Ongole though they are registered in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

It urged the school managements to get the buses registered with the local transport authority so that the officials can check the vehicle condition and certify on its fitness.