Five students were killed and six others injured when a big tree fell on their school bus near here today, police said.
The children, in the age group of five and 14, were returning home from the Vidya Vikas School here, about 40 km from Kochi, when the tree fell on the bus at Nellimattam at around 4.30 pm. Three other students escaped unhurt.
Five of the injured have been hospitalised here while one seriously wounded student had been admitted to Medical College Hospital, Kolencherry, police said.
Police said there were 14 students in the bus when the big tree fell on the middle part of the vehicle.
The deceased were identified as Johan (13), Gowri, Krishnendu, Ameer Jaffer and Isha Sara Eldo (all 5).
Rescue operations were conducted by the fire force and the police with the assistance of locals.
The school bus was completely damaged in the mishap, police said.
