Banswara school van crash kills 1 child, injures 6 in Rajasthan
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
A school van crashed into a stationary truck in the Thikariya area of Banswara, Rajasthan, on Wednesday morning, 29 July, killing one child and leaving at least six others injured, several of them critically. The vehicle was ferrying students to school when the collision occurred, and the impact was severe enough to completely crush the front portion of the van.
What Happened
The children aboard were residents of Janamedi, Bahubali Colony, and the Housing Board area of Banswara. Villagers and passersby who heard the children's cries rushed to the scene, pulled the trapped students free, and alerted the authorities. A team from Raja Talab police station responded and, with the help of local residents, transported all injured children to the District Hospital.
The Deceased and the Critically Injured
The child who died has been identified as Hayan Basaniya, son of Dr Rajendra Basaniya, a resident of the Housing Board area. A sibling of the deceased also sustained injuries in the same accident. Among the seriously injured is Ranjan Nema, son of Rudra Nema and also a resident of the Housing Board colony, whose condition deteriorated and who has since been referred to Udaipur for advanced medical care.
Scenes at the District Hospital
The sudden arrival of multiple critically injured children triggered panic at the District Hospital. Doctors, nurses, and emergency staff mobilised immediately — some performing CPR on the most severely hurt students while others administered first aid and stabilised victims ahead of further treatment. Hospital officials confirmed that several children remain under care in the emergency ward, with the condition of some described as critical.
Investigation Under Way
Police have launched an investigation to determine the precise cause of the crash and whether driver negligence played a role. The accident has left parents and relatives in shock, with anxious family members converging on the hospital after learning of the incident. Further details are expected as the probe progresses.
This comes amid persistent concerns over road safety standards for school transport vehicles across Rajasthan, where inadequately maintained vans and unregulated routes have been flagged by safety advocates in the past.