PUNE: A school bus carrying 15 children met with an accident on Wednesday afternoon after its brakes failed on a slope near Ambegaon on Sinhagad Road. The children escaped with minor injuries. The bus belongs to Podar International School, Ambegaon branch.

The bus toppled over a stone as the driver tried to manage it. The bus was carrying afternoon batch students of the school from Datta Nagar area towards the school.

Police have confirmed that the accident took place due to brake failure, but Regional Traffic office claimed that it happened due to negligence of the driver.

According to the police, the children who sustained minor injuries were sent back home after being treated at a local hospital.

A Nevase, PSI of Bharti Vidyapeeth police station said, “According to the initial report, the accident took place because of brake failure at around 2 pm. As the brakes failed, the driver rammed the vehicle into a divider and it overturned. Around 15 students who suffered minor injuries in the accident were taken to a nearby hospital and were given proper treatment and later discharged.”

FIR against the bus driver will be filed post a detailed inquiry, said Nevase, adding that the police will also speak to the management of the school to inquire about the bus condition and whether the school owned this bus or was it on contractual basis.

Anagha Gholap, Principal of the school, said that the school is ready to cooperate in any investigation regarding the incident. “We are very shocked but thankful that all the children are safe. We will provide full cooperation to the investigations done by the transport committee as well as the police. Also, we will now ensure that the school bus staff appointed on contract basis are trained again to ensure that such incidents are not repeated.”

After the incident, the officials of RTO reached the spot and inspected the bus. In the initial inspection, the officials found that the accident was due to total negligence of the driver.

“The officials said that there were no signs of brake failure. We will take action after the final report. The bus has four more months for brake test inspection,” said Sanajy Rout, Deputy RTO.