Shimla, Jul 1 (IANS): At least seven school children were injured when an overcrowded private school bus rolled down a hill in the Himachal Pradesh capital on Monday, police said.

The injured were admitted to the Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital here.

The students, belonging to Convent of Jesus and Mary Chelsea, were travelling in Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) bus. The accident occurred in Lower Khalini.

Witnesses told the police that lack of steel barrier and narrow road were mainly responsible for the accident.

Local legislator and Education Minister Suresh Bhardwaj who reached the accident spot, faced protest from locals, who were blaming the government's callousness towards safety of the passengers.

Less than a fortnight ago, 44 passengers lost their lives when a mechanically unfit mini overcrowded bus met with an accident in Kullu district. Thirty-five other passengers received grievous injuries.