Society

Driver gets jail term for death of 14 children

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-05-27 22:54

CHANGSHA - The driver of a vehicle which plunged into a creek, killing 14 children on board last year was sentenced to six years and a half behind bars in Central China's Hunan province, said court officials Friday.

Chen Ningxi was driving 20 children to a primary school in his three-wheeled vehicle on a foggy Monday morning when it plunged off a bridge and into a creek on December 27, 2010 in Hengnan county, leaving 14 dead and six others injured.

The Hengnan County People's Court found Chen guilty of overloading and improper operation of the vehicle. Chen's vehicle was registered for transporting cargo only.

Chen pleaded guilty, according to court officials.

The children were all from Dongtang village and travelling to school in the neighboring Yinguo village.

Six officials from the county's education and transport departments were sacked immediately following the accident.