10-year-old student falls from moving school van, dies after coming under wheel

A Class 3 student died after falling from a moving school van in Katni's Vijayraghavgarh area. The incident triggered protests, a police response and scrutiny of school transport safety.The police will examine how the van was being operated, why the gate opened while the vehicle was moving and whether required safety measures were in place. (Credits: Amar Tamrakar)A 10-year-old Class 3 student died after falling from a moving school van in Madhya Pradesh's Katni district on Wednesday. The incident took place in the Vijayraghavgarh police station area after the vehicle's gate suddenly opened while it was on the road, causing the child to fall onto the road and come under the van's wheel.The deceased the son of Vijayraghavgarh resident Dinesh Yadav. He was a Class 3 student at Dwarka Public School in Vijayraghavgarh and was travelling to school in the van as he did every day.According to information available so far, the accident occurred while the van was moving. The sudden opening of the vehicle's gate caused the boy to fall out. He subsequently came under one of the wheels of the moving vehicle, sustaining fatal injuries.CHILD DECLARED DEAD AT HEALTH CENTREFollowing the accident, the injured child was rushed to the Vijayraghavgarh Community Health Centre in an attempt to save his life. However, doctors examined him and declared him dead. News of the incident spread rapidly through the area, leaving the family and local residents shocked. The boy's family members reached the health centre after being informed about the accident.The incident also triggered anger among local residents and the child's relatives, who gathered and staged a road blockade. Protesters demanded action against those responsible for the accident, including the arrest of the driver and strict action against the school management over alleged lapses in the operation of the school van.POLICE REACH SPOT, CLEAR ROAD After receiving information about the road blockade, Vijayraghavgarh police reached the spot and spoke to the protesters and family members. Police officials managed to pacify the crowd, following which traffic movement on the road was restored.Vijayraghavgarh police station in-charge Abhishek Choubey confirmed that the boy died after falling from the school van.Choubey said the family and local residents had blocked the road following the incident and that police intervened to bring the situation under control. The route was subsequently reopened for traffic.SCHOOL VAN SEIZED, DRIVER ARRESTEDPolice have seized the school van involved in the incident and arrested its driver. Officials said a case of accidental death has been registered and further investigation will be conducted to establish the circumstances leading to the incident.The police will examine how the van was being operated, why the gate opened while the vehicle was moving and whether required safety measures were in place.The incident has also raised concerns over the safety arrangements for children travelling in school vehicles. The child's family and local residents have sought strict action against those found responsible, including the school management if any negligence is established during the investigation.Police said the body has been sent for post-mortem examination as part of the investigation. Further action will be taken based on the findings of the inquiry and other evidence gathered by the police.- EndsPublished By: Ritaban MisraPublished On: Sep 10, 2026 09:10 IST