A tragic accident in the heart of Kolkata claimed the life of an 18-year-old youth on Thursday morning. The victim, identified as Karan Singh from Salkia in Howrah, fell from a moving private bus and came under its wheels.
Details of the Fatal Incident
The incident occurred around 10:50 am on Thursday on Hemanta Basu Sarani in the Dalhousie area. According to police, Singh was traveling on a route 24A private bus. Passengers reported that he was talking on his mobile phone while standing near the footboard, appearing agitated during the call.
Witnesses stated that they had warned Singh twice about the dangers of using his phone while in a precarious position. However, their warnings went unheeded. As the bus passed the iconic Writers' Buildings, Singh attempted to alight from the still-moving vehicle.
A Preventable Tragedy
"He was distracted by the phone call and missed a step while trying to get down," explained a police officer involved in the investigation. This misstep caused him to fall directly under the wheels of the bus. The conductor was inside the bus issuing tickets at the time and was unaware of the accident until later.
Singh was rushed to the Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead. Police described the circumstances as akin to a "suicidal" act, noting that none of the bus staff realized a passenger had fallen.
Growing Concern Over Distraction
While railway accidents involving headphones and mobile phones are frequently reported, police officials from Lalbazar noted that such fatal bus accidents directly caused by phone-related negligence are less common. This incident highlights a critical and often ignored aspect of road safety—the deadly combination of distraction and risky behavior.
The tragic death of Karan Singh serves as a grim reminder for commuters across India. It underscores the vital importance of staying alert and avoiding distractions like mobile phones while boarding, traveling in, or alighting from public transport. Authorities continue to investigate the full sequence of events.
