By The Hindu Bureau

Copyright thehindu

A school van carrying children and teachers overturned on a main road near Chennimalai on Saturday (September 27, 2025) morning after a student’s water bottle accidentally rolled under the clutch pedal, causing the driver to lose control.

The van, operated by Gurusami (40) from Melappalayam on a contractual basis, ferries students from Chennimalai to a private school in Veerappalayam.

According to the police, the vehicle was carrying 16 students and three teachers. As it passed through Ammapalayam, a plastic water bottle held by one of the students accidentally fell inside the van and rolled under the clutch pedal. This impeded the driver’s ability to operate the brakes, causing the van to swerve and overturn.

Locals in the vicinity rushed to the scene and assisted in evacuating all occupants safely. Two girls, aged 9 and 10, sustained minor injuries and were taken to Chennimalai Government Primary Health Centre in an ambulance. The remaining students were transferred to another vehicle and sent to school.

Chennimalai Police Inspector Sivakumar and Sub-Inspector Krishnan arrived at the site and launched an investigation into the incident.