Three school girls among five killed as bus overturns

Three school girls and two women were today killed when a bus hired for a tour by a Surat-based municipal primary school overturned near Keshod town in Junagadh district, police said.
The incident took place around 8.30 AM when the bus, carrying around 75 students of Tadvadi Primary School from Rander area in Surat, turned turtle killing three girl students and two women, Keshod police inspector K V Chadappa said.
The deceased were identified as Nisha Rabari, a class 5th student, Divya Bharti and Bhavu Bambha (both students of class 7). Two deceased women, who were hired as cooks, were identified as Champa Rajkotia and Ramila Rathod.

The luxury bus had been hired by the school, run by Surat Municipal Corporation, for a tour of Saurashtra region, police said.
"We have learned that around 75 students along around six teachers and two women cooks were there in the bus. After paying visit to Somnath temple, the bus was coming towards Junagadh via Keshod this morning," said Chadappa.
"We suspect the bus overturned after one of its tyres burst, killing three girl students and two women cooks. 18 others, including some teachers, were injured in the accident and have been referred to Junagadh civil hospital," he added.

After the accident, the bus driver fled from the spot, police said adding, "We have lodged an FIR and started further investigation."

Meanwhile, Gujarat Education Minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama has asked the authorities to extend all the help required to the victims.
"I got to know that three children and two women were killed in the accident. I have asked the District Collector of Junagadh as well as school authorities in Surat to extend all the necessary help. The government will also provide compensation to the kin of victims as per the rules," Chudasama said.