Van slipped into pond while negotiating a curve

KOCHI:According to hospital sources, the two injured in the school van accident are in a serious condition. Driver Anilkumar, alias Babu, of Maradu, was semi-conscious when he was rescued and he managed to inform the rescuers of the numbers. Five children were rescued initially and were safely shifted to nearby houses, with their parents later taking them home.

According to police officers, the vehicle slipped into the pond while negotiating a curve.“On hearing the screams of the driver and the local residents, two persons - Benny and Ravi - reached the spot and jumped into the pond and carried out the rescue operations along with the driver,” said an officer. The abandoned pond - ‘Sarpakulam’ - belongs to one Thekkedathu family. “The real reason behind the mishap will be probed,” said City Police Commissioner M P Dinesh who visited the hospital where the children were taken to.

“We will conduct a comprehensive inquiry on the vehicles carrying students following the guidelines issued by the police,” he said. District Collector K Mohammed Y Safirulla also visited the hospital.