School bus topples:

54 injured, 2 critical

Rafik JALALDEEN and Indika POLKOTUWA

At least 54 were injured and two schoolchildren were critically injured when a school bus crashed and toppled due to a technical fault at Nagasena, Lindula yesterday morning.

Police spokesman SSP Ranjith Gunasekera said a private bus transporting schoolchildren and teachers to the school crashed into a road side mountain projection and toppled. Around 54 were injured and two children were said to be in a serious condition.

The bus was plying from Talawakelle to Rahanwatte. "The incident took place in Nagesena, Lindula around 7.30am due to a technical fault," he added. The injured were admitted to the Lindula Hospital.

The bus was transporting schoolchildren and teachers among others at the time of the incident.