A tragic road accident in Amtali, Tripura, claimed the life of a 60-year-old woman and left several school children injured after a school bus lost control. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident and driver negligence.
A tragic accident unfolded on Thursday morning along the Amtali by-pass road in Tripura, when a school bus carrying several children lost control and ran over a 60-year-old woman. The mishap left one dead and multiple students injured, prompting widespread concern over road safety and driver negligence in the state.
According to police reports, the deceased woman, identified as Khelan Sarkar (60), was attempting to chase a goat that had strayed onto the road when she was struck by the school bus. The vehicle, belonging to a private English medium school located in the Dukli area, was reportedly traveling at a considerable speed when the accident occurred.
Eyewitnesses stated that the woman suddenly came in front of the moving vehicle, leaving the driver with little time to react. Following the collision, the bus skidded off the main road, resulting in injuries to 11 to 12 students on board. There were a total of 35 students in the bus at the time of the incident.
“The woman was chasing a goat when the bus dashed her. The vehicle was at a relatively higher speed, and the driver lost control after hitting her,” said Officer-in-Charge (OC) Paritosh Das of the Amtali Police Station.
Police quickly arrived at the scene and recovered the body of the deceased, which was later sent for post-mortem examination. “The injured students were immediately taken to Tripura Medical College, where they received first aid. Fortunately, all have been discharged after treatment,” Das added.
The driver of the bus fled the scene shortly after the accident, prompting a police search to locate and detain him. “An investigation is underway to determine whether the driver was negligent or if mechanical failure played a role in the mishap,” the OC informed.
Community Shock and Parental Outrage
The incident sent shockwaves across the local community, especially among parents whose children were aboard the bus. Many expressed anger over what they described as “reckless driving” and demanded stronger enforcement of traffic safety rules near schools.
“The authorities must ensure that school buses operate under strict speed limits and regular supervision. Children’s lives cannot be put at risk due to careless driving,” said a concerned parent at the accident site.
Political Leaders React
The tragic event drew immediate attention from senior political leaders in the state. BJP Tripura Pradesh President and Rajya Sabha MP Rajib Bhattacharjee, who happened to be passing through the area en route to an event in Killa, stopped at the site and instructed officials to ensure that the injured students received prompt medical attention.
Later in the day, Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha took to social media to express his grief and concern.
“I have been made aware about a tragic road accident which occurred at Amtali by-pass road. I pray for the speedy recovery of those who have been injured. I have also instructed the police to take necessary action based on the probe,” the Chief Minister wrote.
Investigation Underway
Police officials confirmed that the bus has been seized and efforts are ongoing to trace the absconding driver. Preliminary assessments suggest that the vehicle may have been traveling at a speed unsuitable for the narrow by-pass road. Authorities are also verifying whether the bus had undergone the required fitness and safety inspections mandated for school transportation vehicles.
The Amtali police have filed a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code related to rash and negligent driving causing death. Additional charges may be added depending on the findings of the ongoing investigation.
Road Safety Concerns Raised Again
This latest accident has reignited debates about road safety standards and driver accountability in Tripura. Local residents argue that poorly maintained roads, lack of pedestrian zones, and unregulated vehicle speed contribute to frequent mishaps. The district administration is expected to hold a review meeting to strengthen monitoring mechanisms for school transport vehicles in the coming weeks.
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As authorities probe the circumstances surrounding the tragedy, the community of Amtali continues to mourn the loss of Khelan Sarkar and pray for the well-being of the young students affected by the devastating incident.
