Van on fire, narrow escape for 35 Kids

SALEM: As many as 35 school-children had a narrow escape when the van in which they were travelling caught fire after colliding with a motorcycle at Periyagoundapuram, here on Friday.According to police sources, the van carrying students of Sri Vidya Mandir School was proceeding to Periyagoundapuram from Ayothipattinam. Around the same time, Arumugam (29), a mill employee on his way to Karipatti from Periyagoundapuram on his bike. At the Periyagoundapuram intersection, the bike collided with the school van. In the impact, both the bike and the van caught fire. Arumugam, who suffered an head injury, died on the spot.Van driver Srinivasan (29) of Thirumanur and the schoolchildren jumped to safety.  The public, who gathered on the spot, doused the flames. Srinivasan told the police that he used to pick up students from Seshanchavadi, Valapadi and Mettupatti. The children in the bus were from Mettupatti. Inspectors from the regional transport office (east) conducted investigations. School under scannerWhile the Karipatti police began investigation, DEO Easwaran pulled up the school authorities for violating the Collector’s orders, issued two days ago against reopening schools before June 15. The school authorities told reporters that since the school followed the CBSE pattern, they would take instructions only from the Central board. The Collector said the school would face action for defying his order.