The National Transport Commission has temporarily suspended the driver and conductor of a bus after a student fell off the footboard in Kurunegala.
The incident had been caught on the dashcam of the vehicle of the child’s father, who had dropped off the child at the bus stop moments ago. However, the child had not sustained any serious injuries in the incident.
Issuing a statement on the incident, the Transport Ministry said the bus was used as a school transport service and had been authorised by the North Western Province Road Passenger Transport Authority to operate from Metibokka to Sir John Kothalawala College in Kurunegala.
The ministry further said inquiries conducted by NTC officials with the child’s father and the bus owner have revealed that the incident had occurred due to the negligence of the driver and conductor.
As such, based on the directive of the NTC, the North Western Province Road Passenger Transport Authority has taken steps to temporarily suspend the driver and conductor from their duties.
The Transport Ministry further said that a probe into the incident will be conducted today.
The ministry also stated that on the orders of the Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake, measures have been taken to assign a new driver and conductor to the bus to ensure uninterrupted service. (Newswire)
