BANIHAL, June 26 -- Three schoolchildren were killed while one more was missing after a dumper they were travelling in skidded off the road and fell into the Chenab river in Ramban district on Tuesday, police said.

The driver and three other students were critically injured in the accident that took place on the Karol-Kundi link road near Jaishwal bridge, a police official said.

He said the driver of the dumper, which was on its way to Kundi village, had given a lift to the children, including two of his own, who were returning from school.

The vehicle rolled down over 400-ft before submerging in the river, the official said.

The officials said a rescue operation was launched immediately and seven of the eight people travelling in the...