Mumbai: A quick trip to the Malwani church before their school gates opened ended in a tragedy as four children were hit by a truck on Tuesday morning. One of the children died while the other three are being treated.
The incident occurred near the church at around 8.30 a.m. The Malwani police said Kamal Mewati (13), Neha Mewati (12), and Bhupender Mewati (9), are siblings and attend the municipal school in Malwani. They decided to visit the church along with Muskaan Memon (13), who studied in the neighbouring Unified English High School. All the four children stayed in the same area.
“The four children were walking towards the church when they were hit by the truck from behind. The truck driver fled,” said Assistant Commissioner of Police Shrirang Nadgauda, Malwani division.
All the four were taken to Atlantis Hospital in Malwani, where Muskaan was declared dead an hour later.
Doctors said she was breathing at the site of the accident but could not be saved in spite of intubation and de-fibrillation.
“We were just walking along the road from our school when the truck hit us. It also hit an autorickshaw parked by the side of the road, sending it careening into a ditch,” said Kamal, who is likely to be discharged on Wednesday.
Doctors said Bhupender, who is suffering from cancer, has sustained internal injuries, while Neha is conscious but is undergoing tests to find out the extent of the damage to her internal organs.
The three victims were shifted to KEM Hospital in Parel later on Tuesday. “Their mother is mentally disturbed and we have not told her about the accident,” said Omwati Mewati, the siblings’ aunt.
The police have registered a case of causing death and injury due to rash and negligent driving under the Indian Penal Code, and have launched a hunt for the truck driver.