BEST bus accident in Mumbai's Mankhurd kills 65-year-old pedestrian, injures 10
A 65-year-old man was killed and at least 10 others injured after a Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) bus crashed into a roadside divider in Mumbai’s Mankhurd on Monday morning. The accident occurred at around 8:30 am on the Sion-Panvel Highway, opposite Vishwakarma Hospital.
The deceased was identified as Bhaskar Raosaheb Pande. According to officials, he was standing near the divider when the bus rammed into it. Among the injured are the bus driver and the conductor, who have been shifted to Rajawadi Hospital. All injured are receiving medical treatment, and their conditions are reported to be stable.
Emergency teams, including police and medical personnel, reached the spot soon after the incident. The injured were rushed to the hospital, where Pande was declared dead on arrival. The authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the crash. Preliminary inquiries suggest that the bus driver may have lost control, but no official statement has been released yet.
This incident is the latest in a series of accidents involving BEST buses in Mumbai. In recent months, several accidents have raised concerns about the safety and maintenance of the city’s public transport fleet. The BEST undertaking has faced criticism over the condition of its buses and the training of its drivers. However, the transport corporation has not commented on this specific case.
The Sion-Panvel Highway is a busy route, and the accident caused significant traffic disruption for some time. Traffic police managed the situation and the debris was cleared by late morning. The local residents have expressed grief over the loss of life and demanded stricter safety measures.
As the investigation continues, the BEST corporation is expected to provide a detailed report. The incident serves as a reminder of the need for improved road safety and better maintenance of public transport vehicles in Mumbai.
