Mumbai: A school bus carrying 40 children caught fire after a short circuit and was engulfed in flames in Navi Mumbai on Thursday.
Twenty five children were injured in the accident while the others managed to escape using an emergency exit at the back of the bus.
The ones injured were trapped at the front of the bus. Younger children were sitting at front, so they suffered more serious burns. Most students were from class IV and V.
People in the neighbourhood rushed to help the children, but it was the children's presence of mind in using the emergency exit that really saved them.
The driver and bus attendant have been detained for questioning and the police are trying to establish the chain of events.
Schools reopened on Thursday after being shut for a week because of the swine flu scare.