A horrific accident late Monday night outside Bhandup railway station has left four people dead and ten others injured after a BEST bus lost control and ploughed into pedestrians on the footpath. The entire incident was captured on chilling CCTV footage.
CCTV Captures the Moment of Horror
The tragedy unfolded around 10:05 pm on Monday night near Bhandup (West) railway station. According to police, the bus, operating on route number 606, was attempting a tight U-turn when the driver lost control. The CCTV footage shows the vehicle first ramming into a roadside pole before mounting the footpath and mowing down people standing outside the station premises, triggering panic in the crowded area.
Casualties and Immediate Aftermath
The impact of the crash resulted in immediate fatalities and critical injuries. Rajawadi Hospital officials confirmed that a 31-year-old woman was brought dead. Another victim, identified as Prashant Lad (51), remains in critical condition and is undergoing treatment.
Meanwhile, MT Agarwal Hospital reported that three victims were declared dead on arrival. Nine injured persons were admitted to the hospital with varying degrees of injuries. Civic and hospital authorities have confirmed the final toll: four dead and ten injured.
Driver Detained, Investigation Launched
The driver behind the wheel has been identified as 52-year-old Santosh Ramesh Sawant, who was hired on a contractual basis. The bus involved was a wet-lease electric AC vehicle attached to the Vikhroli depot.
Bhandup police have detained Sawant and are in the process of registering an FIR against him. The charges are expected to include causing death due to negligence and rash driving. An investigation is currently underway to ascertain whether speeding or driver error was the primary cause of this devastating accident.
This incident casts a grim shadow, coming nearly a year after the fatal Kurla bus crash that claimed nine lives, raising serious questions about road safety and driver training protocols for public transport in Mumbai.
