Chandigarh: Carmel Convent School girl dies as tree falls on kids

Tribune News Service

Naina Mishra

Chandigarh, July 8

A 16-year-old student was killed and 19 others, including an attendant, were injured as part of a tree split and fell at Carmel Convent School, Sector 9, during the recess time around 11.30 am here today.

The deceased has been identified as Heerakshi of class X. She was taken to the PGIMER with a severe head injury but was declared dead on arrival.

Around 50-70 students were having meal in the ground where the tree fell. While some escaped leaving their tiffin boxes, others were crushed under the tree as teachers came to their rescue.

Sana, a 15-year-old student, who had to undergo forehead stitches said: “We usually eat food at the playground during recess. The tree fell suddenly and we could not escape. Around 50-70 students were present there. As soon as the tree fell, some teachers and students tried to lift us.”

After the tragedy, parents of the children were called up to take them home. After the incident, there was commotion in the school as teachers and principal refused to speak on the matter. The GMSH-16 received a disaster call following the incident. Twelve schoolchildren and a bus attendant were brought to the hospital between 11.20 am and 11.55 am.

After initial examination, a student and the attendant, who had serious injuries, were referred to the PGIMER. Among them, 15-year-old Ishita from class X underwent surgery to amputate severely injured hand at the PGI and 40-year-old Sheela, a bus attendant, had been put on ventilator in the ICU ward after slipping into coma. Her condition was stated to be critical till the filing of the report. Another student, Sejal from class XI, was later shifted to the PGI with spinal fracture.

Ten students who suffered minor injuries were treated at the GMSH-16 under the supervision of Director, Health Services. Nine of them were later discharged. Four others with minor injuries were sent to Fortis Hospital, Mohali, and two to Mukat Hospital, Sector 34, and are reported to be stable.

Senior officials of the UT Administration, including the Home Secretary, Deputy Commissioner, Chief Conservator of Forest and Secretary, Health, visited the school, GMSH-16 and PGIMER.

A committee of officials from the municipal corporation, Forest Department and Horticulture wing has been constituted to visit schools and other educational institutions for inspection of trees in and around premises to prevent recurrence of such incidents.

Family blames school

A relative of the aggrieved family said when they reached the school, the authorities told them they had written to the Horticulture Wing about the maintenance of the tree. “They clearly say they are not at fault. Who is then responsible for not fulfilling their obligations?” he said, as the family pressed for a complaint against the school.

No eating inside

Forced to spend 45 mins outside due to school curbs on eating food in classes, students were having meal when falling tree crushed them. An NGO worker had in April urged school to let kids eat food inside after some had ‘fainted’.

Passing the buck

While the school claimed it wrote to Horticulture Department for tree’s maintenance, UT Chief Engineer, while denying the charge, claimed institutions where heritage trees stood were responsible for their preservation & upkeep.

Termite-infested

The 250-year-old peepal tree, which has heritage status, was found to have been infested with termites, which apparently led to the incident. A parent claimed its branches had fallen on a school bus last year.

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