HATTAIN BALA (Kashmir English): In a tragic accident on Tuesday, at least 29 schoolchildren and their driver were injured after a school van plunged off a hilly road in the Chikar area of Jhelum Valley district in Azad Kashmir, officials said.
As per details, the school vehicle of the private Islamia Public School Chikar met with an accident at Tambrial Mor near Bandi Bakalan village.
According to the police, the accident occurred at 2:35 pm today when the Hiace van, carrying boys and girls students, was returning to their homes.
Rescue sources told Kashmir Digital that the injured were provided immediate medical assistance. “16 children were shifted to THQ Hospital Chikar, while 13 have been shifted to District Headquarters Hospital Hattian Bala.”
The children admitted to the Chikar Tehsil Headquarters Hospital were subsequently sent home after treatment. The van driver, identified as Sajjad Shah, and two of the children were said to be in serious condition.
Police Station Chikar has started an investigation into the incident, as initial reports suggested that the high speed of the vehicle and the slippery road may have been the cause of the accident.
Parents and residents of the area have demanded that the government pay immediate attention to the condition of school transport and the training of drivers so that such accidents can be avoided in the future.
