17 Schoolchildren Injured as Pickup Van Falls into Pond in Hazaribagh

Hazaribagh: At least 17 schoolchildren were injured on Wednesday afternoon after a pickup van carrying them plunged into a pond in Jharkhand’s Hazaribagh district, officials said.

The accident took place near Khutra village in the Ichak police station area as the van was returning the children to their homes after school. According to local sources, the vehicle was reportedly speeding and lost control while negotiating a sharp turn on a narrow road, causing it to veer off and fall into a pond approximately 15 feet deep.

Hearing the crash, local residents rushed to the spot and immediately began rescue operations. Police and district officials arrived shortly after being informed and joined efforts to save the children and the driver from the submerged vehicle. A crane was later used to pull the van out of the water.

Fortunately, the van did not sink into the deeper part of the pond, averting what could have been a far more serious tragedy.

All injured children were initially taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital. While most were discharged after receiving first aid, four children with serious injuries were referred to Sheikh Bhikhari Memorial Medical College and Hospital in Hazaribagh. Their condition is said to be critical.

Family members of the children rushed to the scene upon hearing of the incident. Many locals and relatives alleged that the driver was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident. They also criticised the absence of a guard wall along the narrow, accident-prone road, highlighting poor infrastructure as a contributing factor.

Ichak police station in-charge, Santosh Kumar, confirmed that a medical examination of the driver is in progress. Authorities are also checking the vehicle’s documents and the validity of the driver’s license. “If it is confirmed that the driver was intoxicated, strict legal action will be taken,” he added.