Agra School Bus Tragedy: 9-Year-Old Girl Dies After Falling From Vehicle
A tragic incident in Agra has claimed the life of a 9-year-old girl after she fell from a school bus and was crushed under its rear wheel. The accident occurred on Wednesday around 3pm on Naya Bans–Bihari Pur Road in the Etmadpur area of Agra.
Details of the Fatal Incident
According to police reports, the school bus jolted sharply while crossing a speed breaker. This sudden movement caused the young girl, identified as Naina, to slip from her seat and fall out of the vehicle. She was tragically crushed under the rear wheel of the bus, sustaining severe injuries that proved fatal.
Naina was a Class 1 student at RBS School in Bhagupur and the daughter of Brahmjeet from Nagla Lale village. She was returning home with her elder sister Pari, a Class 5 student at the same school, when the accident occurred. Family members confirmed that the sisters had left for school together in the morning and boarded the same bus after classes ended.
Family Alleges Negligence and Poor Bus Condition
Naina's family has raised serious concerns about the condition of the school bus and the handling of the situation after the accident. Her grandfather, Devendra Singh, alleged that precious time was lost before she received medical attention.
"Instead of rushing Naina to the hospital immediately, the driver first dropped the other children," Singh stated. "After parking the bus at the school, he later took her to the hospital on a motorcycle."
Her father, Brahmjeet, described the family's anguish when the children did not return home on time. "Our children usually reach home by about 2.30pm. When they did not arrive, I tried calling the bus driver, Narendra Kumar, but he did not answer. We kept trying for nearly an hour," he said.
The family further alleged that the bus was in poor condition, with students being made to sit on wooden planks instead of proper seats. Brahmjeet added, "We had raised concerns about the condition of the bus earlier. Sometimes the school sent a car for a day or two, but then the same bus would be used again. If the school charges bus fees, it must also ensure the safety of children."
Police Investigation and Legal Action
Police have registered a case under BNS section 106 (causing death by negligence) against the driver, who fled after the incident. Authorities have seized the bus for further investigation.
Etmadpur SHO Alok Kumar Singh revealed that preliminary investigation indicated a wooden plank had been fitted on the bus floor. "The plank came off and the child slipped through the gap," he explained, adding that the vehicle was old and did not have a valid permit. A case has been registered against both the driver and the school operator.
Educational Authorities Take Action
District inspector of schools Chandrashekhar announced that the school's recognition for Classes 1 to 10 has been withdrawn following the tragic incident. This decisive action underscores the seriousness with which authorities are treating the case.
Recent Similar Incident
This tragedy comes less than two weeks after a similar accident in Kasganj on March 1, when a UKG student died after falling through a damaged section of a school bus floor and being run over by the vehicle. The back-to-back incidents highlight growing concerns about school transportation safety in the region.
The community mourns the loss of young Naina as questions about school bus safety standards and accountability continue to surface. Authorities are continuing their investigation while the family seeks justice for their devastating loss.
