Godawari, Nepal—A school auto-rickshaw carrying Montessori students overturned on the East-West Highway in Kailali District on the morning of Tuesday, June 23, 2026. The incident, which occurred at approximately 10:15 local time, resulted in 14 injuries. Among those hurt are the driver, a teacher, and 12 young students who were being transported to their boarding school.

The vehicle lost control while heading east, causing it to flip over onto the roadway. Bystanders and local commuters rushed to assist the victims, pulling children from the wreckage before emergency services arrived. All of the injured were subsequently rushed to the Lalratna Hospital in Lamki for urgent medical treatment.

Police have confirmed that the driver, identified as 59-year-old Jagat Bishta, is among those currently under medical care. A 30-year-old teacher, Tula Gharti, was also onboard and sustained injuries during the crash. The sight of the overturned vehicle caused significant distress among local residents and parents who rushed to the scene upon hearing the news.

Authorities have launched an immediate investigation into the cause of the accident. Preliminary reports suggest that the driver may have lost control of the vehicle at a high speed, though mechanical factors are also being investigated. The condition of the students remains a primary concern for local officials, and medical updates are being provided to the families at the hospital.

This incident has raised serious questions about the safety of private transport vehicles used for school commutes in rural districts. Many of these vehicles operate without rigorous oversight, often carrying more passengers than they are designed to accommodate. The local municipality has pledged to conduct a safety review of all school transport services within the district.

Police officers were stationed at the crash site for several hours to conduct an on-site investigation and manage the traffic flow. The highway was briefly restricted to allow for the recovery of the vehicle and the collection of forensic evidence. The wreckage has been moved to a local station for a detailed mechanical assessment.

The community is calling for stricter accountability for school transport providers, citing the vulnerability of the children involved. Officials have promised that any negligence found during the investigation will be addressed through the judicial process. For now, the focus of the district remains on the recovery of the injured students.

No fatalities have been reported, but the incident has sent shockwaves through the local community. The school has not yet released a statement regarding the future of its transport arrangements. The investigation into the driver’s actions and the state of the vehicle is expected to conclude within the coming days.