A devastating road accident in Ahmedabad on Tuesday morning claimed the life of a 12-year-old boy and left his mother injured after a public transport bus collided with their two-wheeler. The incident has once again raised serious concerns about reckless driving and road safety in the city.
Chronology of a Tragedy
The fatal collision occurred around 10:15 am near Kankaria. Sima Gupta was riding her scooter with her son, Henil, seated pillion. They were traveling from the Kankaria area towards Anupam Cinema. According to police authorities, the tragedy unfolded as the scooter was descending on a bridge.
An AMTS (Ahmedabad Municipal Transport Service) bus, allegedly being driven at high speed and in a reckless manner, struck the two-wheeler from behind or the side. The impact was so severe that both Sima and Henil were thrown off the scooter onto the road.
Fatal Injuries and Legal Action
In a horrific turn, the bus ran over young Henil, causing critical head injuries. He was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital but succumbed to his injuries. His mother, Sima Gupta, also sustained injuries in the crash and is currently undergoing treatment.
Based on the complaint filed by the injured mother, the I Traffic Police Station has registered a case. The driver has been booked under relevant sections of the newly enacted Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. The charges include rash and negligent driving, causing death by negligence, and endangering human life. Additional sections from the Motor Vehicles Act have also been invoked.
Driver Detained, Investigation Underway
The police have identified and detained the bus driver as Pravin Pathak, aged 44. Pathak, who is employed as a driver with AMTS and resides in the Memnagar area, was taken into custody shortly after the accident. The investigation is ongoing to determine the exact speed of the bus and the complete sequence of events leading to the fatal crash.
This heartbreaking incident underscores the persistent danger on Indian roads, particularly for vulnerable two-wheeler riders. It highlights the urgent need for stricter enforcement of traffic rules, better driver training for public transport operators, and heightened public awareness to prevent such needless loss of young lives.
