Deoghar, Jharkhand: A 10-year-old girl was killed and four other children were injured after a school van collided head-on with a pickup vehicle in Deoghar district on Tuesday, police said.
The accident occurred near Narangi More on the Sarath-Chitra Main Road under the Chitra police station area when the school van was returning with children after dropping them home.
According to police, the pickup vehicle was travelling at high speed from the opposite direction when it collided with the school van. The impact left several children injured, while the 10-year-old girl, identified as Munni Kumari, died in the accident.
Police said the school van was carrying at least 10 children between the ages of 10 and 12 at the time of the crash.
Four children — two boys and two girls — were injured and taken to Deoghar Sadar Hospital for treatment. Their condition was reported to be stable. The body of the deceased girl has been sent for post-mortem examination.
The school van driver also suffered injuries but is said to be out of danger.
Meanwhile, the driver of the pickup vehicle fled the scene along with the vehicle following the collision. Police have launched a search operation to locate and arrest him.
A detailed investigation into the circumstances leading to the accident is underway, police said.
