Speeding SUV runs over nine schoolkids on Bihar's highway

At least nine schoolchildren were crushed to death, and about 20 others were injured when a speeding SUV hit them while they were crossing a national highway in Bihar's Muzaffarpur district on Saturday.

The incident took place on NH77 and the students of Dharmapur Government Middle School were crossing the road to go home. "At around 1.30 pm, an out-of-control speeding Bolero hit the children," a Police official said. The driver then fled the spot. Most children belonged to primary school.

"Around 20 children were rushed to Sri Krishna Memorial College and Hospital (SKMCH) in Muzaffarpur, while hospitals in Patna have also been issued an alert for treatment of more serious injures, if required," the cop said.

Meanwhile, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh each to the family of the deceased. He also added that the state would bear all the expenses in case the injured needed better treatment outside SKMCH.

RJD MLA from Minapur, Munna Yadav, was among the first to arrive at the spot, cornered the Bihar government citing "failure of prohibition in the state" saying the driver was in an "inebriated state".

The tragedy

The incident took place on NH 77 at around 1.30 pm when the students of Dharmapur Government Middle School were crossing the road to get home