A small-time businessman was knocked off his bike and killed on the spot by a school bus with 40-odd students on board on the Ranchi-Khunti highway, 25km from the state capital, on Friday afternoon, once again exposing the hazards of reckless driving in Jharkhand.

The fatal accident sparked angry protests and a marathon blockade on the arterial road, prompting heavy police deployment till early evening.

The driver of the bus and his helper are absconding.

Arun Prasad (55), who owned an eatery at Ancillary Chowk in Tupudana police station area, had barely hit the highway near his hotel when the Bridgeford School vehicle (registration No. JH-08C 1730), bound for Hatia to drop senior students, rammed his bike from behind around 12.45pm.

Prasad was tossed in the air and crashed head first on the road. Police could not say if the man was wearing a helmet.

As an irate mob surrounded the school bus, the driver - identified as one Raju - abandoned the children and fled. So did his helper. The protesters allowed the 40 students to get off the bus. Sources said the children were dropped off at convenient locations so that they could make their way home.

Tyres were burnt to block the highway, which threw traffic out of gear for over three hours. Police forces were rushed to the spot from Tupudana, Dhurwa and other neighbouring thanas.

The blockade was lifted only around 3.45pm after the local administration managed to pacify agitated residents with the promise of action.

"We are trying to verify the identities of the driver and the cleaner. An FIR will be lodged against them. We are also looking for the owner of the bus, which has been seized. The situation is under control," said Hatia DSP Prashant Anand.

On whether the accident was the result of rash driving, Anand said that such things would be clear once investigations were over.

According to sources, the bus belongs to local transporter Bablu Singh who rents a fleet of seven to Bridgeford School. Singh claimed he knew the deceased well. "The person hit by my bus was a good friend," he said.

School principal Seema Chitlangia denied information of any accident involving a Bridgeford bus. "I am out of station. At a workshop," she said.

Chitlangia also refused to divulge how many buses the cradle owns or hires and how many students are on its rolls.

Sources in the area said Bridgeford, which is located within 2km of the highway, has 4,000 students from kindergarten to Class XII.

For senior section, classes begin at 6.30am and get over by 12.30pm. For juniors, the reporting time is 8.30am and the final bell rings at 1.30pm. The school hires 25 buses for pick-up and drop.

Should schools be pulled up for hiring reckless drivers?

Tell ttkhand@abpmail.com