50 pupils escape school bus blaze

Bus driver, passersby avert major tragedy

Hyderabad : About 50 students had a narrow escape when the bus carrying them to their school went up in flames on the outskirts of the city on Thursday. Thanks to the presence of mind of the private school bus driver and timely intervention by passersby, a major tragedy was averted. They rescued every student by lifting them physically before the flames engulfed the entire chassis of the vehicle. The residents of Batasingaram village played a major role in saving the kids.

According to Hayathnagar Circle Inspector G Srinivas Kumar, the bus, which belonged to the Sputhnicka International School, was on its way from Pochampally to Vanasthalipuram when the mishap occurred. The rear portion of the bus caught fire suddenly around 8.15 am. As soon as the smoke emanating from the rear began suffocating the students inside the bus, they started screaming for help forcing the driver Srinivas Goud to stop the vehicle. Students rushed towards the door resulting in almost a stampede-like situation.

Meanwhile, the driver began pulling out the students from the bus one by one. "His presence of mind helped in saving many of the students," said a parent. The support extended by the residents of the village and the passersby facilitated in evicting them before the fire spread to the rest of the vehicle. Some children who boarded the bus after having their breakfast were said to be sleeping and they had no knowledge of what had happened.

What caused the bus fire is yet to be known. It was suspected that the bus would have come in contact with power lines. "I rushed to the spot as soon as I came to know about the mishap. I am happy that nothing unwanted happened," said a parent, Narsi Reddy from Pochampalli. When the Hans India contacted a representative of the school, he said that "fortunately all the students came out unhurt. We should be thankful to God".

Firefighters rushed to the spot and doused the flames, but not before a major part of the vehicle gutted. The students, parents including the school management heaved a sigh of relief as there were no casualties. "It's a providential escape. Luckily, everyone in the bus could escape. "I am enormously grateful to God", said Akshara, a 5th Class student. Hayathnagar police registered a case under accidental fire.