Mumbai BEST Bus Plows Into Crowd in Bhandup, Four Dead
A tragic accident involving a Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) bus in the Bhandup area of Mumbai on Monday night resulted in the deaths of four pedestrians and left eight others injured. The driver, identified as Santosh Sawant, 50, was arrested by the Bhandup police shortly after the incident.
Driver's Statement Points to Alleged Mechanical Error
In his statement to the Mumbai police, Santosh Sawant claimed the fatal crash was caused by an error made by the driver who operated the bus before him. Sawant alleged that the previous driver had left the hand brake in drive mode instead of neutral. When Sawant began his shift and attempted to release the hand brake to start the bus, the vehicle, already engaged in drive, allegedly lurched forward uncontrollably.
The bus surged into a crowd of people standing in front of it. The impact was severe, knocking down twelve individuals. Emergency services rushed the victims to two nearby hospitals: MT Agarwal Hospital in Mulund and Rajawadi Hospital in Ghatkopar. The force of the accident also damaged a lamppost at the scene.
Aftermath and Rescue Efforts
Tragically, three women and one man were pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospitals. The eight other injured persons, including seven men, are currently undergoing treatment. Their conditions are being monitored.
Viral videos from the site captured the immediate chaos and the heroic efforts of bystanders. People were seen pushing the bus to one side to rescue those who were trapped underneath the vehicle.
The Bhandup police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) in the case. Authorities confirmed that Sawant is a permanent employee of BEST and not a contractual worker. Preliminary investigations indicate that he was not driving under the influence of any intoxicant at the time of the accident.
Ongoing Investigation and Next Steps
Police officials stated that Santosh Sawant was produced before a court on Tuesday, where they will seek his custody for further questioning. The investigation is proceeding on multiple fronts.
The previous driver who operated the bus before Sawant will be called in to record his statement regarding the alleged handbrake error. Furthermore, to rule out any technical malfunction, the bus has been sent for a detailed mechanical inspection.
The accident has raised serious concerns about procedural checks and vehicle handover protocols within the public transport system. The police probe will aim to establish the precise sequence of events and determine liability for the devastating incident.
