Tripura: School bus accident in Amtali kills one, injures several students

Agartala: A 60-year-old woman died and over a dozen school students sustained minor injuries after a school bus lost control and ran over her on the Amtali bypass road in Tripura on Friday, police said.

The deceased, identified as Khelan Sarkar, was reportedly chasing a goat when she suddenly came onto the road.

The school bus, carrying around 35 students of a private English-medium school in the Dukli area, was on its way to the institution when the accident took place.

According to eyewitnesses, the driver, in an attempt to avoid hitting the woman, lost control of the vehicle, and it skidded off the main road. The driver fled the scene soon after the accident.

“The victim was run over by the bus and died on the spot. The bus also veered off the road, injuring around 11 to 12 students,” said Officer-in-Charge of Amtali Police Station, Paritosh Das. “All the injured students were taken to Tripura Medical College, where they were treated and later discharged after first aid,” he added.

The police recovered the woman’s body and sent it for post-mortem examination. A case has been registered, and efforts are on to trace the absconding driver, officials said.

Parents of the students expressed anger over the driver’s alleged reckless behaviour, demanding strict action. “An investigation is underway to determine if negligence or overspeeding caused the accident,” Das said.

Meanwhile, BJP state president and Rajya Sabha MP Rajib Bhattacharjee, who was passing through the area, stopped to oversee rescue efforts and directed officials to ensure prompt medical assistance for the injured students.

Chief Minister Manik Saha expressed grief over the incident and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured. “I have been informed about the tragic road accident at the Amtali bypass. I have directed the police to take necessary action based on the investigation,” the Chief Minister said in a post on social media.