Kerala Girl Dies of Snakebite in School, Students Say Teacher Continued With Class Despite Injury

Wayanad: A 10-year-old girl died after being bitten by a snake inside her classroom at Sultan Bathery in Wayanad district, police said on Thursday.

The fifth standard student, Shehla Sherin, was taken to the hospital only an hour after the incident, students of the government vocational higher secondary school alleged. A classmate alleged that the teacher continued with the class, saying the child's father will take her to hospital. By then the girl's leg had turned blue, she said.

The incident occurred on Wednesday. Television channels aired visuals of the classroom with a hole beneath the desk where the child was seated. A teacher has been suspended, pending inquiry, government sources said.

Shahnawaz, a relative of the child, alleged that there was a lapse on part of the school and a hospital where she was first taken. The child was later referred to the Kozhikode Medical college.

As the girl's condition worsened, she was taken to a private hospital in Vythiri, en route to Kozhikode, where she was declared brought dead.

Wayanad district collector Adeela Abdulla termed the incident as "most unfortunate" and said action will be taken against those responsible. An education department official has been asked to

submit report on the allegation of delayed medical assistance to the child.

The Additional district magistrate has been asked to visit the school, she said. A deputy director, who came to the school, inspected the classroom Thursday morning. Education minister C Raveendranath has sought a report on the matter.

Meanwhile, angry local people and relatives barged into the staff room and tried to attack the teachers present, but were dissuaded by police personnel who are maintaining tight vigil at the school.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the administration is taking the incident with great seriousness.

"The teachers are supposed to teach children on how to respond and what needs to be done immediately when such incidents happen," said a statement from the Chief Minister's Office. "What the children are saying is that even after requesting, the teachers did not take Shehla Sherin to hospital and only after parents came she has been taken to hospital."

Vijayan said he will intervene to ensure action against those who acted with carelessness and indifference.

(With inputs from Neethu Reghukumar in Thiruvanathapuram)