In a distressing accident today, a school van carrying young students collided, injuring seven children along with the driver and the conductor. The mishap involved nine individuals in total, including two adults—the driver and the helper—and seven kids. This incident has drawn attention to Punjab accident news and road safety measures.
Injuries and Medical Updates
The Senior Medical Officer (S.M.O.) overseeing the treatment shared an accident news update, stating, “Two children have been referred for a precautionary CT scan, while the others, including the driver, are stable and under observation. The driver will also undergo a CT scan. The situation is under control.”
Emergency services acted swiftly, ensuring the injured received prompt medical attention. The cause of this school bus accident is currently under investigation.
Sadak Surakhya Force (SSF) Impact
Despite this today accident news, Punjab has witnessed a significant decrease in road accidents due to the deployment of the Sadak Surakhya Force (SSF), Punjab Police’s highway safety unit. Since its launch in January 2024, road accident fatalities in the state have dropped by 45.55%.
Mansa, Punjab: A school van carrying patients collided, injuring seven children, including the driver and conductor.
The S.M.O. of the hospital says, "A total of 9 people were involved in the accident, including 2 adults, 1 driver, 1 helper, and 7 kids. Two kids have been… pic.twitter.com/63xU8kvhnl
— IANS (@ians_india) November 19, 2024
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who conceptualized the SSF, aimed to improve road safety by creating a dedicated highway patrol force. The SSF’s responsibilities include acting as first responders at accident sites, reducing rescue and transport times for victims.
Additional Contributions by the SSF
Beyond ensuring road safety, the SSF has contributed to law enforcement by recovering:
- 6 kg of opium
- A pistol and a 12-bore rifle
- Cash worth ₹58,45,914
- Three mobile phones returned to accident victims’ families
The 1,600-member SSF unit is the first of its kind in India, covering 5,500 km of national and state highways in Punjab.
Punjab Accident Today: A Call for Safety
This school bus accident serves as a reminder of the importance of road safety and the need for cautious driving, especially in vehicles carrying children. As the investigation unfolds, more accident news updates will follow.
Source: Lokmat
