Varapuzha (Kochi): As many as 13 students, all kabaddi players, were injured when the bus they were travelling in overturned after crashing into the median near the Varapuzha bridge on National Highway 66. Except for four, the injuries sustained by the others are not serious.

The students, from various instittutions in Paravur and Cherai regions, were returning after participating in the All-Kerala Kabaddi Tournament held in Cherthala. It was their team bus that met with the accident.

The incident occurred around 8.15 pm on Saturday. The injured students were rescued by breaking the bus windows. 

Those who sustained more serious injuries have been identified as Shikha and Mithuna from St. Theresa's School, Cherai; Vandana, a student of SNM College, Maliankara; and Neha from Kottuvallykad Higher Secondary School.

Other students from St Theresa’s School, Cherai—Aleena, Sanoop, Diya, Anaya, Sauparnika, Avantika, Edwina and Vismaya—sustained only minor injuries. The bus driver, Ashokan, a native of Paravur, has also been admitted to hospital.

Besides the driver, the team’s physical education instructor, Omar Sherif, was on board. He was unharmed. The injured students were admitted to Aster Medcity, Cheranalloor. Most of the injuries were due to cuts caused by broken glass from the bus windows.

Traffic was heavily disrupted on the Varapuzha bridge for several hours following the accident.