11-yr-old schoolgirl dies after scooter plunges into pond
Times of India | 7 January 2026
Kolkata: An 11-year-old girl died after the battery-operated scooter that she was travelling on lost balance and plunged into a pond at Sonarpur on Tuesday morning. The accident occurred around 10.30 am near the Didimoni bus stop under Sonarpur Police Station.
The deceased, Smriti Tarafdar, was a class 5 student of Basanti Devi Balika Vidyalaya. The family said she was on her way to school with her cousin Disha, a class 11 student, along with another sibling, Shruti Tarafdar.
Witnesses claimed that Disha tried to give way to a passing vehicle when she suddenly lost control of the scooter. Within seconds, the two-wheeler skidded off the narrow road and fell into the pond, along with the three girls.
Locals immediately began rescue operations. Disha and Shruti were pulled out quickly, but Smriti remained untraceable for nearly 20 minutes. Smriti was eventually fished out and taken to a nearby private hospital, where she was declared dead.
Police reached the site soon after receiving information and initiated a probe.
"We are examining the exact circumstances and whether any external factor led to the loss of balance," an officer said.
Further investigation is under way to ascertain the exact cause of the mishap.