Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur (MS)

Puttur, Nov 11: In a tragic accident that occurred on the afternoon of Saturday, November 10 at Pattladka of Ishwaramangala in the taluk, a student was accidentally thrown out of the moving bus and he died as the door of the school bus opened suddenly while the bus was negotiating a road curve.

Gagan Alva (15), son of Padmanabha Alva and Prema couple, residents of Anile of Badagannur village is the unfortunate boy who lost his life in the accident. He was studying in 10th standard of Gajanana English Medium High School of Ishwaramangala which is sponsored by Vivekananda Vidyavardhaka Sangha.

Gagan Alva used to travel by the school bus every day. Accordingly, on Saturday also he was returning home after school in the school bus and this incident took place on the road that connects Ishwaramangala and Pattladka. It is said that Gagan Alva was standing on the footboard of the bus that was moving from Ishwaramangala towards Ambatemoole via Pulithadi and Pattladka.

At the road curve at Pattladka, the door of the school bus got opened suddenly and Gagan, who was standing on the footboard, was thrown to the road. Though he was taken to the hospital immediately, he succumbed to his injuries. He was given first aid at Ishwaramangala hospital and taken to Puttur for advanced treatment. However, Gagan died on the way due to the severe impact injury he received to his head during the fall.

The mortal remains of Gagan are kept in the mortuary of the Puttur Government Hospital. Gagan is survived by his mother, father and sister.

A case in this regard stands registered in the rural police station. Sanjeeva Matandoor, MLA who visited the hospital said that he will direct the concerned officials to pay suitable compensation to the family members.

Responding to the tragic incident, Y Shivaramayya, DDPI of DK district said, "As per the Supreme Court order, the school and college buses have to implement 18 points for the safety of students. All colleges and schools have been sent instructions with regards to this in the last academic year itself. All the schools and colleges have responded in writing that they have implemented these safety measures. It is not clear how this incident took place, even after putting all safety measures in place. Suitable action will be taken after investigating the whole matter. The RTO has to check the condition of the vehicle,"

Accident even after warning

A meeting of sub-committees under the limits of Women and Children Welfare department and Child Development department was held recently at the auditorium of Puttur gram panchayat. In that meeting, outrage was expressed about the private school buses of violating the standard practices. The people who had participated had pressurized for legal action on these buses also. The officials had informed that notices will be sent to erring schools within a week asking them to repair school buses which are not fit to be run. As the locals have expressed their suspicion on the condition of the bus, there is a possibility that RTO may check the fitness of the said bus.