A minor boy succumbed to his injuries after a branch of a tree fell on him while he was playing in his school premises in Khordha district on Thursday.
The tragic incident took place at the Kshetrabasi Nodal High School in Nirakarpur.
Ritesh Pradhan, a Class-II student, was playing in the school campus during the recess period. Suddenly, the dead branch of the tree crashed on him, leaving his grievously injured.
He was rushed to the Nirakarpur Community Health Centre for treatment. Later, he was referred to the District Headquarters Hospital (DHH). However, he died on the way to the DHH.
As per villagers, the tree had been damaged due to the Cyclone Fani on May 3 and some dead branches were hanging from it.
They alleged negligence on part of the school authorities as the branches were not cut despite bringing to their notice a number of times.
School Headmaster Udaynath Tripathy said, “The boy had climbed the tree and fell down as the branch broke. He suffered head injuries. We rushed him to hospital. The branch could be a dead one.”
A pall of gloom descended on the village after the tragedy.
Tension ran high after the incident, following which the headmaster filed an FIR at the local police station.
As per the latest report, the headmaster was suspended by the Block Education Officer (BEO),