Three school children were killed and over 16 others injured when a van carrying them rammed into an engine at an unmanned railway crossing near Haraj village, around 30 km from Ferozepur in Punjab [ Images ], on Monday.

The injured, four of whom are stated to be critical, have been rushed to a Ludhiana hospital while six have been admitted to a hospital in Moga, police said.

Preliminary reports indicated negligence on part of the school van driver, who is absconding after the mishap. The victims were students of a DAV school in Talwani Bhai village.