Another kid dies as school bus runs over her

In yet another tragic accident, a four-year-old girl was crushed to death under her school bus at Manikpur, Vasai, on Tuesday late evening. The police have arrested the driver of the bus.

The deceased child has been identified as Tanushka Notiyal (4), resident of Girnar View in Vasai. She was studying at St. Annes Convent Primary School. The school had hired a private bus driver, identified as Ramdas Kamat (60), resident of the same locality.

According to locals, the incident happened near the Manav Mandir area in Vasai west. On Tuesday evening as usual Ramdas drove the bus to school so he could take the kids home. As he was reversing near the school gate, he did not notice little Tanushka standing just behind the bus. She was crushed under the rear wheels. When Ramdas heard her screams, he immediately stopped the bus. Tanushka was rushed to Kalpana hospital, where she was declared dead before admission.

The news spread quickly across the locality, and an angry mob of 150 people rushed to the hospital, demanding that the driver be arrested immediately.

Meanwhile, Manikpur police arrested Ramdas under section 304, IPS. The mob dispersed after his arrest, said Chandrakant Jadhav, senior inspector of Manikpur police station.

Speaking to DNA, assistant police inspector NH Kumbhar, who is investigating the case, said, “The bus is owned by a contractor, and Ramdas is a retired army personnel. We have seized the bus and its documents.”

Kumbhar further said that the school had appointed an attendant for the children’s safety. “However, we have to ascertain his presence at the time of mishap. Ramdas was produced before the Vasai additional sessions court where he was remanded judicial custody for 14 days.”

When asked about the angry mob outside the hospital, he said, “Dr Tiwari, who was present in the Kalpana Lifeline hospital, personally examined the girl and declared her dead before admission. Since the child was already dead, there was no question about giving treatment. However, residents thought that there was a chance to save the child, and took her to Gracious Hospital, where she was declared dead. Meanwhile, a rumour had spread that the doctors at Kalpana hospital had refused her treatment. This was cleared later.”

NK Patil, RTO (Thane), said, “We have taken serious note of this mishap, and will take action on the driver’s license and the bus permit. As far as action on the school is concerned, it is the education department’s decision. We will write to the department recommending action against the school.”