The BD Public School bus ransacked by mob after the accident involving a bike (front). Picture by Ashok Sinha

Patna, Nov. 16: A mob ransacked a school bus today after a woman riding pillion on a bike came under its wheel because the two-wheeler rider lost control over his vehicle.

The mob pelted stones at the Buddha Colony-based BD Public School bus, smashed its windscreens and windowpanes, and tried to set it ablaze. The driver of the bus fled fearing for life despite no fault of his after the accident around 12.30pm near the overbridge on Jagdeo Path under Rupaspur police station.

Nutan Sinha, the woman who came under the wheels of the bus, is recuperating at Hai Hospital. Her condition is critical but stable.

Sources said Neeraj Sinha was riding the bike on which Nutan was riding pillion. A six-year-old boy was sitting on the two-wheeler’s fuel tank. None of them were sporting helmets.

As the two-wheeler started hurtling down the overbridge, Neeraj lost control over the bike and it rammed into the road divider. The two-wheeler tipped over and the trio fell down.

The bus travelling right behind the bike ran over the woman, as its driver could not apply brakes.

Police sources said the bus driver was not at fault. He had no time to apply brakes, they added.

An officer of Rupaspur police station said: “We were informed about the accident immediately and a police team reached the spot. It sent the injured trio, all residents of Sarvodaya Nagar Colony in Danapur, to Hai Hospital.”

As soon as the cops left, the mob action started. A group of men suddenly turned violent and started pelting stones at the bus. All its windows were smashed.

Getting information about the mob violence, another police team reached the spot and dispersed the mob. “One person has been nabbed for indulging in violence,” the police officer said, adding that the bus driver had been identified.

Driving bikes without sporting helmets is common in the state capital.

Last December, the Patna police started the anti-rash driving cell. A group of sub-inspectors were given the responsibility to book the rash bikers, including those not sporting helmets.

Sources said the cell was not functioning properly at present. “It started nicely but lost steam midway because the police have to manage several other things,” another police officer said.

Girl dead

A six-year-old girl died today when a speeding truck hit a motorbike she was travelling on. Police said the incident occurred this morning on National Highway 98 under Phulwari police station.

The girl, identified as Jannat, was riding pillion on her uncle’s motorbike when the truck hit the two-wheeler from the rear. Her body has been sent for post-mortem. The truck driver is absconding.