Chandigarh: A student was killed and around a dozen were injured as a tree fell on them at Carmel Convent School, Sector 9, here on Friday. Medical teams and police rushed to the spot. A team of doctors from Fortis Hospital, Mohali, has also been called.
While a few students were given the first aid at the school the others were rushed to hospital. Area councillor Mahesh Inder Sidhu said one student died while another is said to be critical. UT officials reached the school to take stock of the situation. Sources said many parents also rushed to the school.
The Deputy Commissioner reached the spot and said the administration had ordered an inquiry. The tree that fell is a heritage tree said to be around 250 years old. According to an official statement from the Chandigarh Administration, the accident took place at around 11.30am.
A total of 19 students and a woman attendant, 40, were reported injured. A student (16) was rushed to the PGI, where she was declared brought dead. Eleven students who have suffered minor injuries are being treated at GMSH-16 under the supervision of Director, Health Services, and will be discharged after medical examination. Four students who suffered minor injuries were taken to Fortis Hospital and two were taken to Mukut Hospital and are reported to be stable.
The woman attendant and one student have been shifted to the PGI from GMSH-16 and are under continuous monitoring there. Home Secretary, Chandigarh, Deputy Commissioner, Chief Conservator of Forest and Secretary, Health, of Chandigarh Administration visited the school, GMSH-16 and the PGI.
A committee of the officials from Municipal Corporation, Forest Department and Horticulture Wing has been constituted to visit the schools and other education institutes and inspect the trees in and around the premises to avoid any such incident. The Administrator and the Adviser have expressed condolences to the family of the deceased.