Chennai: Twenty children travelling in a school van were grievously injured when the vehicle toppled near Thuppikulam in Thiruttani, near here. Two among the 20 are battling for life, according to the police.

The Government Higher Secondary School at Thuppikulam has 157 students. Through the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan scheme, the students of the school, studying from classes 6 to 8, can avail of free transport facility. This morning, the van picked up 20 students from Ponpadi Mettu Colony and was heading for the school. When it was travelling near a lake bund, a dog is said to have crossed its path. To avoid running over the animal, the driver applied the brakes but lost control of the vehicle which toppled over.

The children who got stuck inside the van were rescued and rushed to the Thiruttani Government Hospital. Nikitha (14) and Kiruthika (13), who suffered grievous injuries, have been shifted to the Tiruvallur Government Hospital. District educational officer Gnanasekar, RTO Vimalraj, tahsildar Baranitharan, and the school principal Subbarao visited the hospital. The Thiruttani police have booked a case against van driver Rajadurai from Thuppikulam, who fled the spot, and are currently on the lookout for him.