One dies, 15 pupils injured as school bus catches fire in Ondo

A total of 15 pupils of Hope of Tomorrow Academy in Akungba, Akoko South West Local Government suffered burnt injuries after the bus they were boarded to school was engulfed in flames.

It was gathered that the incident occurred around 8am on Tuesday.

One of the affected pupils was said to have died after being rushed home.

Witnesses said the driver of the bus was picking up the pupils from their various homes when fire gutted the bus.

One of the witnesses,who gave his name as Olumide, said:“There was smoke in the sky and people ran to the area and it was discovered that it was a fire incident involving school children

“It took the intervention of residents who were said to have immediately broke the rear shield after discovering that the doors of the vehicle were locked.”

Management of the institution was yet to speak on the matter as at press time.

Ondo Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Funmilayo Odunlami, said the affected children were in the hospital.

Odunlami said she got information that one of them passed on in his parents house.