Mumbai: An 11-year-old boy lost his life and four other children were injured after a large tree collapsed onto a school bus in Mumbai‘s Chembur area on Tuesday afternoon. The incident occurred on Road No. 11 while a bus belonging to Universal School was carrying 13 students.
Prompt action by the bus conductor and local residents helped rescue the children trapped inside the damaged vehicle before emergency services arrived.
Child succumbs to injuries
The injured students were rushed to Zen Multispeciality Hospital for treatment.
Hospital authorities confirmed that 11-year-old Vihan Shrivastav sustained critical injuries in the incident and was declared dead.
The four other injured students, comprising three boys and two girls, suffered minor injuries and are reported to be in stable condition.
Dr Roy Patankar, Director of Zen Multispeciality Hospital, said two of the injured children underwent CT scans and additional medical examinations and are currently receiving treatment. The remaining two children were also examined and their condition is stable.
Rescue operation launched immediately
The tree collapsed suddenly onto the school bus while it was travelling through Chembur.
Before the Mumbai Fire Brigade reached the spot, the bus conductor and local residents worked together to rescue the children from the damaged vehicle, preventing further casualties.
Emergency responders later cleared the tree and ensured the area was made safe.
Mumbai Mayor visits hospital
Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde visited Zen Multispeciality Hospital to meet the injured children and their families.
Expressing grief over the incident, she said she had visited the hospital “as a mother” and described the tragedy as deeply painful.
She noted that while 12 of the 13 children on board were safe, the death of one student was a heartbreaking loss.
Demand for inquiry into tree maintenance
Following the incident, Tawde questioned whether adequate action had been taken to address concerns about dangerous trees in the area.
She said the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had stated that roadside trees had been trimmed, but local residents claimed they had repeatedly complained about hazardous trees that required attention.
The Mayor called for a comprehensive audit of old trees across the city and said strict action would be taken if officials were found to have ignored complaints from residents.
She also stated that there would be no attempt to shield the administration if negligence was established during the inquiry.
Residents allege repeated complaints ignored
Residents of the locality alleged that they had written several times to the BMC requesting the trimming or removal of dangerous trees.
According to locals, a similar incident had occurred in the area previously, raising concerns about the safety of ageing trees during the monsoon season.
They claimed that despite repeated warnings, no effective preventive action had been taken.
Authorities are expected to investigate whether earlier complaints were received and whether appropriate maintenance measures were carried out before the incident.
Conclusion
The tragic death of an 11-year-old student has once again highlighted concerns over tree safety and civic maintenance during the monsoon in Mumbai. As investigations continue, authorities are expected to examine whether prior complaints were overlooked and if negligence contributed to the fatal incident.