Sixteen school children had a lucky escape when a private van in which they were going to school overturned at Sozhankadu near Karaikudi on Thursday.
Police said the van, carrying 16 children aged between 5 and 7 years, was on its way from Madhagam village to a private school at Pethanendal in Sakkottai union. The driver was negotiating a curve when he ran over a ditch on the roadside and lost control of the vehicle.
Although the State government ordered the reopening of schools after summer vacation on June 3, the primary school reopened on Wednesday, considered an auspicious day, and the accident took place on the second day.
While one child suffered a cut injury on the forehead, necessitating sutures, all others escaped unhurt or with minor scratches, police said. The children were rendered first aid and treated as out-patients at the Government hospital here, police added.
Sakkottai police detained the van driver, Balamurugan, and questioned him. The van was carrying the children in violation of traffic rules. Enquiries revealed that it was engaged by the children’s parents.