Mumbai BEST Bus Accident: The deadly bus accident in Mumbai on Monday night, which killed four people, including three women, and left 9 injured, raised a serious concern about the road safety in the financial capital of the country. Mumbai's civic-run transport undertaking BEST bus knocked down pedestrians while reversing the vehicle around 10 pm at the busy Station Road in suburban Bhandup (West).
What Led To Fatal Accident?
An eyewitness said encroachment of the sidewalk by hawkers forced pedestrians to step onto the road, leading to the death of four people in the Mumbai bus accident. Saimini Mudaliyar, a pharmacist, said the area outside Bhandup railway station is always busy and the availability of vegetables at lower prices attracts more people, further complicating the situation.
The eyewitness recalled, “I was standing at a nearby bus stop waiting for my bus when I heard a loud thud. The next moment, I saw people being thrown off, and the bus came to a halt a little ahead."
Within moments of the bus coming to a halt, people started lifting and pushing the stationary vehicle, indicating that several people were trapped underneath, she added.
"I saw a stream of blood and multiple dead bodies. One person's head was smashed, as if the bus had run over it, while another had an injury near the thigh," she said. The accident occurred between 9.35 pm and 9.45 pm, she said, listing out factors that may have led to it.
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Buses terminating at Bhandup station find it difficult to execute a U-turn outside the railway station due to hawkers and heavy crowds in the late evenings, the witness said.
What Have Police Said?
DCP Hemraj Singh Rajput said, "At approximately 9:35 PM, a bus accident occurred near Bhandup West Railway Station. The bus ran over pedestrians and moved ahead, resulting in the death of four people and injuries to around 9–10 others. Among the deceased, three are women and one is a man. Among the injured, there are eight men and one woman. The bus driver is currently in police custody and is part of the ongoing investigation."
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis Announces Ex-Gratia
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed grief over the deadly bus accident near Bhandup West railway station in Mumbai that claimed four lives and left nine injured. He announced financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh to the families of the deceased in the accident.
(With PTI Inputs)