Drunk driver rams school bus into wall; students safe

At least 12 students of Mata Sahib Kaur Public School, Swara village, Kharar, had a narrow escape on Wednesday morning after a drunk bus driver lost control and rammed the vehicle into a wall.

At least 12 students of Mata Sahib Kaur Public School, Swara village, Kharar, had a narrow escape on Wednesday morning after a drunk bus driver lost control and rammed the vehicle into a wall.

The police caught the driver, Jaswinder Singh, 43, and got his medical examination done in which he was found under the influence of alcohol.

“No one will be allowed to put the lives at risk. Action against the driver will be taken as per the law and we will also recommend cancellation of his licence,” said SAS Nagar senior superintendent of police (SSP) Gurpreet Singh Bhullar. Gurpal Singh, resident of the village, said, “We heard a loud noise and saw the bus that had hit the wall. The bus driver had tried to flee from the spot, along with the bus, but was overpowered by the villagers and handed over to the police”.

Meanwhile, school principal Ranjeet Kaur said the driver was found drunk earlier too and was barred from driving, adding that she was unaware as to how he was driving the bus. “The school had taken these buses on contract to ferry students. A few days back, the teachers had found him drunk so he was put off duty. We will inquire as to how he was driving the bus.”

The principal had assured that action will be taken against the driver, but till the filing of the report no complaint was lodged by the school authorities. “We have registered a case of drunk driving against the driver,” said Kurali SHO Amarbir Singh.