A major tragedy was narrowly averted in the Sangod area of Rajasthan's Kota district on Monday morning when a school van transporting around 18 children overturned on its way to school. The incident triggered immediate panic among the young passengers, but prompt action by local residents who rushed to the scene ensured all children were swiftly pulled out of the vehicle and stabilized.
Details of the Accident and Rescue Effort
The mishap took place at approximately 9 AM on Monday. According to available details, the van was picking up students from Mandap village to transport them to Tilak School located in Kundanpur, covering a routine route of about 5 kilometers. Mid-journey, the vehicle suddenly lost control and flipped onto the side of the road.
The sudden overturn caused chaos inside the crowded cabin, with frightened students crying out for help. Hearing the noise, nearby villagers and commuters immediately sprinted toward the overturned van. Demonstrating great presence of mind, the locals managed to rescue every child from inside the vehicle. Initial assessments indicate that 4 to 5 children suffered internal injuries, though timely intervention helped prevent more severe consequences.
Allegations of Drunk Driving Against the Driver
Following the rescue, eyewitnesses and local residents accused the van driver of operating the vehicle under the influence of alcohol. According to residents present at the spot, the driver lost control of the steering due to severe impairment and reckless driving. Local authorities were promptly alerted about the accident and the driver's condition.
Police have initiated a formal inquiry into the crash and are in the process of registering a case against the driver. Officials confirmed that medical examinations will be conducted to verify whether the driver was legally intoxicated at the time of the incident. Law enforcement officials stated that if the alcohol test comes back positive, strict legal charges will be pressed against the individual under applicable traffic and criminal laws.
Questions Over School Transport Safety
This alarming incident has once again brought the issue of student safety in private transport to the fore. Local residents and concerned parents expressed outrage over the lack of regular safety inspections and driver verification for school vehicles operating in rural stretches. Police officers are investigating the exact sequence of events leading to the crash while ensuring affected students receive necessary medical care.
