One dead, one seriously hurt after bus ploughs into group of schoolchildren

CHIKKAMAGALURU, SHIVAMOGGA: A speeding private bus ploughed into a group of school students who were waiting at a bus stop, at Kaval Duglapur Gate in Tarikere taluk on Thursday morning. While 15-year-old Tulasi died at McGann hospital in Shivamogga, the condition of Nivedita (14) is said to be serious. Five other children had a miraculous escape.

The rashly driven bus crashed into a house, bringing down its aluminium sheet roof, after the driver lost control. Angry locals smashed the windows of the bus and damaged the upholstry. The bus driver and cleaner fled from the spot immediately after the accident.

The deceased Tulasi, (right) angry locals smashed the windows of the bus.

The children were waiting for a bus to reach school when the incident occurred. The deceased Tulasi was a Class 9 student of the government higher primary school at Bavikere and the daughter of Manju and Latha, residents of Sitapura in Tarikere taluk. The couple are labourers.

The deceased girl’s uncle Veeramani said MLA Srinivas should ensure that the family gets compensation from the government and also from the owner of the bus. “We are even ready for a legal battle”, he added.