Mansa: A major road collision involving a school van and a PRTC bus on Monday morning left the van driver and around a dozen schoolchildren injured in Bareta, located in Punjab’s Mansa district. The impact triggered immediate panic and screams among the young passengers, drawing nearby pedestrians and motorists who rushed to rescue the trapped children and provide emergency assistance.
According to local accounts, the PRTC bus was heading from Mansa toward Jakhal when the driver suddenly applied the brakes to avoid hitting a motorcyclist allegedly speaking on a phone ahead. The school van travelling close behind was unable to stop in time and collided heavily with the bus. The impact damaged the front of the van, leaving the driver and roughly half a dozen students with serious wounds, while others sustained minor cuts and bruises.
Local residents and emergency responders transported the injured driver and students to nearby healthcare facilities for treatment. The crash also sparked concerns among residents regarding the roadworthiness of private school transports, prompting demands for regular safety checks and strict enforcement of vehicle fitness regulations. Local police have initiated an inquiry into the crash to establish the exact sequence of events.