LUCKNOW, April 9 -- Ten schoolchildren were injured when a school bus carrying around 35 students overturned in a roadside ditch in Meerut on Wednesday. According to the police, the driver of the school bus fled the scene of the accident after the mishap. The accident took place around 7.30 am near the Kali river stretch at Azhota turn, when the St Mary's Academy bus carrying students from Chindauri, Charla and Lawar lost control and overturned into a roadside pit. Police and administrative officials said no child suffered serious injuries. Class 6 student Lavanya is undergoing treatment at a private hospital, while the remaining injured children were discharged after first aid and medical examination. Local residents rushed to the spot and broke the bus windows to rescue the trapped children; several were stuck between the seats. Injured students were rushed to hospital in ambulances and on motorcycles. School bags and books were scattered inside and around the overturned vehicle. The bus was later pulled out of the ditch using a crane. SDM Udit Narayan Sengar said police and administrative teams reached the spot immediately after receiving information. "Fortunately, none of the children sustained grievous injuries. The cause of the accident is being investigated," he said. Conflicting versions have emerged regarding what caused the bus to overturn. Some parents and students alleged the driver was using a mobile phone while driving. One student said, "The driver was looking at his mobile phone when the bus overturned. Many children were injured. The window panes shattered and I somehow managed to come out." Another parent, Satyendra Chaudhary, said his child also reported that the driver was distracted by his phone when the bus went out of control. However, a separate complaint filed at Daurala police station by parent Rahul Kaushik alleged that the driver, identified as Ruman of Lawar, was driving under the influence of alcohol and at high speed. Some parents alleging that buses were operating despite expired fitness certificates and that repeated complaints had earlier gone unheeded. The school management offered a different version, saying the driver allegedly swerved to avoid a collision with a truck, causing the bus to skid and overturn. ARTO Rajesh Kardam said the vehicle's papers were in order and that the ongoing probe would determine whether driver distraction, rash driving or another factor caused the accident. Police said the driver fled the scene after the accident and efforts are underway to trace him. Further investigation is in progress....