PONDA: Thirty-eight schoolchildren, the driver and an attendant of a school bus given under the Indira Bal Rath scheme were injured on Wednesday morning when it was hit from behind by a speeding truck at Suktolem, Mollem.

Police sources informed that the accident took place at 7.15 a.m. when the bus was proceeding towards Abhinav Vidyamandir High School, Suktolem after picking up the schoolchildren from localities in and around Dharbandora. When the bus reached the Suktolem slope, a speeding truck came from behind and hit it, making the bus driver lose control of the bus. Thereafter, the bus skidded off the road, tumbling the children out of the bus. All the schoolchildren, the bus driver and the attendant sustained injuries.

Seeing the accident, the truck driver fled from the scene, the sources added.

The news of the accident shocked parents and teachers of the Abhinav Vidyamandir High School, who rushed to the site.

The injured schoolchildren were rushed to the Ponda community health centre in Emergency Ambulance services (108) vehicle, whereupon 28 children were given first aid and discharged. Ten children who sustained head injuries were taken to the GMC, Bambolim, where they were given first aid and discharged late evening.

However, Collem PI, Mr Manoj Mardolkar said that one schoolchild, Manisha M Gaunkar, a 11-year-old girl from Suktolem has been admitted in the GMC and is undergoing treatment for serious head injuries.

He said a case of rush and negligent driving has been registered against the truck driver.

Incidentally, this is the first accident involving a school bus provided under the Indira Bal Rath scheme.