Chennai: A four-year-old child died after he fell into an open septic tank inside the premises of his school in Srinivasapuram, Iyyapanthangal near Porur on Friday. The deceased child was identified as M. Kirtheeshwaran who was studying LKG at Masi matriculation higher secondary school.
On Friday, around 11 30 am, Kirtheeshwaran along with other children went to the toilet for a break when the incident happened, police said.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the school management had hired workers to clear a block in the septic tank. The workers had opened the lid and left it aside when the child, inadvertently fell into the 10 feet deep tank. “The workers were not by the tank when the child fell. They had went out for tea,” a police officer said. Other children who were accompanying Kirtheeshwaran rushed to their teachers to inform about the incident. Police said that the staff made futile attempts to retrieve the child before alerting the fire and rescue service personnel.
Police accompanied by fire and rescue service personnel rushed to the scene and secured the boy. He was moved to a private hospital in Porur where he was declared brought dead. The school management had called the child’s mother and initially informed that Kirthee
shwaran fell ill and has been admitted to the hospital. However, on reaching the hospital, the family learnt of the tragic fate the boy met.
Soon, the news spread in the locality and locals and parents besieged the school condemning the school management and demanded arrest of those responsible. SRMC police rushed to the school and pacified the agitators.
The child is the eldest son of Mohan-Sasikala, police said. Mohan works as a mason while Sasikala is a housewife. “No other child should meet such a tragic end. Authorities should wake up from their slumber and ensure such an accident never repeats in any of the schools and strict action should be taken against those responsible,” said A. Karthik, who came to pick his sister from the school.
SRMC police registered a case under IPC section 304 (A) (causing death due to negligence) and are investigating. Police said that autopsy will be done on Saturday. No arrests has been made.
