MARGAO: A Balrath bus ferrying 27 school students from Khaddem to Cuncolim’s United High School veered off the road, overturned and fell into a ditch at Balli early Thursday morning. The accident occurred after the bus’s steering wheel allegedly got locked. Out of the 27 students on board, a total of 22 sustained injuries in the mishap.
The driver of the school bus has been booked for rash and negligent driving.
Locals said that the children, aged 11 to 17 years, were screaming in terror, as the bus had flipped into a low-lying area more than 10 feet below the road and turned turtle, trapping them in.
Local residents, along with the driver, cleaner, and attendant, successfully rescued all the students from the bus. The 22 injured students were transported to the Balli Health Centre in 108 ambulances.
Of them, 18 received treatment at the Balli Health Centre, and discharged later. Four students were sent to the South Goa District Hospital in Margao for further medical attention.
As news of the accident spread, the family members of the students from Balli and Khadeem rushed to the Health Centre. Many parents were in tears as they arrived to check on their children.
According to police sources, the driver lost control of the bus, leading it to fall into a roadside trench and overturn.
The Officer-in-Charge at Cuncolim Police Station, PI Diogo Gracias, said that most students suffered minor injuries, while four students with more severe injuries were admitted to South Goa District Hospital in Margao.
Following the accident, Cuncolim police registered an offense under Section 279 (rash driving) and 337 (causing hurt by endangering life or personal safety of others) of the IPC against the bus driver, Prabhakar Fondu Velip, 46. PI Gracias said that the driver has not been arrested yet, and that the statements of the injured students will be recorded as part of the ongoing inquiry.
Cuncolim police said that four students, namely Swaraj Rajendra Gaonkar, 11 , Sainesh Fondu Gaonkar, 11 ,Pritesh Ulhas Velip, 15, and Vijesh Ulhas Velip ,15, are still undergoing treatment at South Goa District Hospital.
Oppn Leader demands safety audit of all buses used to transport students
MARGAO: Leader of Opposition, Yuri Alemao, expressed deep concern over the Balrath bus, stating that it exposes the complete neglect of the BJP Government in ensuring the safety and security of students in Goa.
Alemao contacted the South Goa Collector and health authorities to ensure immediate medical aid to the injured students. He also visited the students at the South Goa District Hospital. LoP Alemao demanded an immediate order for safety audits of all buses responsible for transporting students to various schools and colleges across the state. He criticised the government for failing to conduct safety audits for 663 out of 1,315 schools in the State, jeopardising the safety of students .
Yuri Alemao further highlighted that there are 316 aided institutions in Goa with 409 Balrath buses, and the government has provided 87 Kadamba buses to students of government high schools and higher secondary schools. He underscored the government’s failure to maintain these buses, putting the lives of students at risk. Alemao said he had raised concerns about dilapidated school buildings in the state in the last session of the Assembly.
CM Sawant orders probe into bus mishap
PANJIM: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that he has ordered the Directorate of Education and the department of Transport to conduct inquiry into the bus accident.
Sawant said that the government is releasing grants to the school managements for the maintenance of the Balrath buses and it is the responsibility of school management to maintain them. Director of Education Shailesh Sinai Zingde said that he has received a preliminary report from the school headmistress, and deputy education officer Reshma Chanekar visited the school after the accident.
