6 children dead as school bus overturns in Haryana's Narnaul, driver allegedly drunk

Digital Desk: In a heartwarming incident, six children lost their lives and more than 20 were left injured when a school bus veered off the road, ramming into a tree and overturning in Mahendragarh, Haryana. 

The devastating accident occurred on Thursday morning, sending shockwaves through the community and leaving families grappling with unimaginable grief.

The bus, owned by GL Public School, was carrying students of Class 4 to 10, despite it being a holiday for Eid-ul-Fitr. As the nation prepared to celebrate, the festivities turned into mourning for these families, whose children should have been safely at home.

The aftermath of the accident painted a grim picture, with schoolbags and bottles strewn across the crash site, serving as haunting reminders of the tragedy that unfolded. According to reports from the district administration, 12 injured students were rushed to a local hospital, while two critically injured victims were transferred to a hospital in Rohtak for urgent medical attention.

Initial investigations by the police suggested that the bus driver, suspected to have been drunk, lost control of the vehicle before it collided with the tree. Authorities revealed that the driver fled the scene after the accident, leaving behind a trail of devastation. Shockingly, official records indicated that the bus's fitness certificate had expired six years prior, in 2018, raising serious questions about safety regulations and oversight.

The nation mourned alongside the affected families, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressing his condolences and wishing for the swift recovery of the injured children. He commended the efforts of the state government and local administration in extending support to the victims and their families during this trying time.

Tragically, the anguish extended beyond the students onboard the bus, as the parents of one student were also involved in a separate accident while en route to the crash site. The mother sustained injuries, including a fractured leg, while her younger sister tragically lost her life in the incident, adding another layer of sorrow to an already devastating day.

As the community grapples with the aftermath of the tragedy, questions have been raised about the decision of GL Public School to operate on a holiday. State Education Minister Seema Trikha has announced an inquiry into the matter, underscoring the need for accountability and ensuring that such incidents are never repeated.

In the wake of this harrowing circumstance, the nation stands in solidarity with the affected families, offering support, comfort, and prayers during their darkest hour. As investigations continue and lessons are learned, there is a collective hope for stronger safety measures to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.