Schoolgirl killed, 30 injured as tree falls on runners

DEHRADUN - A 16-year-old schoolgirl was killed and 30 other students were injured Sunday when a half-burnt tree fell on them while they were participating in a run here, police said.

Six injured students, who are in a critical condition, were admitted to hospital.

According to state police chief Subhash Joshi, “A half-burnt tree on the roadside suddenly came crashing down, crushing a number of participants.”

“The mishap occurred after the group had already completed half the run and was on way to the finish point,” said Joshi, who had flagged off the run in the morning.

“A 16-year-old girl student of Children’s Academy died on the spot and 30 others were wounded. Six of them are still in a critical condition,” he said.

Father of one of the participants was also seriously injured, police said.

As many as 4,000 schoolchildren took part in the “run for life” organised by Eco Watch Society for spreading awareness on environment.