Tragic School Bus Accident Claims Life of Six-Year-Old Girl in Kasganj
In a heartbreaking incident, a six-year-old girl lost her life after falling through the broken floor of a moving school bus and being crushed under its rear wheel in Kasganj district. The police reported the tragic event on Sunday, highlighting severe safety lapses.
Details of the Incident
The victim, identified as Ananya Kumari, was a UKG student at Mount Dev International School in Aligarh. She was returning home from school on Saturday when the accident occurred. According to authorities, the driver only stopped the vehicle after other children and passersby alerted him to the situation.
The family has alleged negligence, stating that the driver was completely unaware of the incident until informed. At the time, no other child was seated next to Ananya, which may have contributed to the delay in noticing her fall.
Aftermath and Allegations
Instead of immediately rushing the critically injured girl to a hospital, the driver took her to her father at Malsai Chauraha in Kasganj. She succumbed to her injuries soon after. Ananya's brother was also in the same bus when the accident happened, adding to the family's trauma.
Her uncle provided grim details, noting that the rear wheel ran over her head and chest, causing fatal injuries. Tyre marks were visible on her body, underscoring the severity of the impact.
Police Action and Investigation
Police have detained the driver, Chandra Prakash, and seized the bus involved in the incident. An FIR has been registered at Gangeri police station under BNS Section 105, which pertains to culpable homicide not amounting to murder. The private school has also been named in the complaint.
DSP Aligarh Sanjeev Kumar stated, "A probe is on and a checking drive against such buses is being conducted." This indicates a broader effort to address safety issues in school transportation.
Broader Safety Measures
In response to the tragedy, authorities launched a city-wide enforcement drive in Aligarh on Sunday. During this operation, 62 vehicles operating with expired fitness certificates were seized. ARTO (Enforcement) Pravesh Kumar revealed that in the current financial year, action has been taken against 316 school vehicles across the Aligarh division.
This incident has sparked concerns about child safety and the need for stricter regulations and regular inspections of school buses to prevent such tragedies in the future.
