A tragic incident occurred in Mauritius when a 12-year-old student, Kennan Martin, died after falling from a moving bus. The incident happened on Monday when Kennan, a student at Pointe-aux-Piments Government School, boarded a bus operated by Triolet Bus Service to return home after school. According to reports, the emergency door at the rear of the bus opened, and Kennan fell heavily onto the road.
Kennan's father, Steeven, had accompanied his son to the bus stop as usual that morning. He said that Kennan had bid him farewell, unaware that it would be their last goodbye. Steeven expressed his grief, saying, "Mo pa ti kone ki sa ti dernie bye-bye ki mo fer li," which translates to "I didn't know that was the last goodbye I was giving him." Kennan's classmates paid their respects to him on Friday, carrying a banner with his name and wearing T-shirts with his portrait.
The bus, an Ashok Leyland with the registration number 8990 DC14, was seized by the police for investigation. The authorities are examining the CCTV footage from the bus and conducting a technical analysis to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident. The bus driver, a 56-year-old man from Pamplemousses, was arrested and released on bail of Rs 50,000. He claimed that the emergency door mechanism is designed to open from the outside and that he was not responsible for the incident.
According to the bus company, Triolet Bus Service, the emergency door has a different mechanism than a regular door and has multiple safety features. The company stated that they are waiting for the police report and will conduct their own technical analysis to understand what happened. Kennan's family and school community are still reeling from the shock of his death.
The police investigation is ongoing, and the authorities are working to establish the sequence of events leading to Kennan's fall. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of school buses and the measures in place to prevent such accidents. The Ministry of Infrastructure and Light Rail Transit is also involved in the investigation.
Kennan's family described him as a joyful and friendly boy who was loved by everyone. His father said that Kennan was inseparable from his brother and was known for his jovial nature. The school community is also mourning the loss of Kennan, with teachers and staff visiting him at the hospital.
The incident has left many questions unanswered, and the investigation is expected to shed more light on the circumstances surrounding Kennan's death. The family and the community are hoping for a thorough investigation and justice for Kennan.
Key points
- The incident has raised concerns about school bus safety in Mauritius.
- The police investigation is ongoing, and the authorities are working to establish the sequence of events leading to Kennan's fall.
- The bus company has stated that they are waiting for the police report and will conduct their own technical analysis to understand what happened.
