Seven children are confirmed dead and 14 others injured after
the minivan they were traveling in veered off a country road in
central China's Hubei Province on Monday, local police
said.
The seven-seat van was crowded with 21 preschoolers when it was
hit from behind by a motor-driven tricycle carrying bricks. The van
went off the road in Guishan Village in the city of Macheng and
fell into a pond at 4:50 PM, said a spokesman with the public
security bureau in Macheng.
One child was killed at the scene and six others died on their
way to the hospital, he said without giving their names or
ages.
The 14 injured children are being treated at Macheng People's
Hospital and Macheng Central Hospital.
Local authorities said education and safety watchdogs have
joined in the investigation, but gave no details.
(Xinhua News Agency May 29, 2007)