Ghaziabad: A private school van carrying four children crashed into a roadside tree and then fell onto a service road at least four feet below in Vijay Nagar on Thursday. All four children, who were on their way to school, escaped unhurt.The driver, Lakhan (35), was headed to DAV Public School in Pratap Vihar’s Sector 12 via Gaushala Road around 7.30 am when he lost control near Sen Chowk, about 2km from the school. He claimed his foot had accidentally hit the accelerator instead of the brake, causing the vehicle to veer off the road and crash into a tree.The incident, captured by CCTV installed near the area, shows passersby rushing to help the children after the accident.Vijay Nagar SHO Dharampal Singh said the school van (DL12CJ8912) had not been provided by the school, but jointly arranged by the children’s family members to transport them to school. “Near Sen Chowk, the driver lost control and first collided with a tree and then landed 4-5 feet below on the service road. Four children, aged around 13-14 years, were inside the Eeco. They were later transported safely to school. Their family members were informed and called to the school and handed over to them,” SHO said. The school management did not respond to TOI’s calls.Police, meanwhile, questioned Lakhan, a resident of Crossings Republik, after the incident, but let him go as no complaint was lodged till late evening.
