Nine pedestrians hurt after drunk man grabs steering wheel of Mumbai's BEST bus

In addition to people, the bus also hit two bikes and a car, before the driver was able to control.

Published on: Sep 2, 2024, 07:23:01 IST

By HT News Desk

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Nine pedestrians were injured in Mumbai's Lalbaugh area by a BEST bus that lost control after a drunk passenger grabbed the steering wheel and destabilised the vehicle after an argument with the bus driver.

The police have taken the drunk passenger into custody and further investigation into the incident is underway, the official added.

In addition to pedestrians, the bus also hit other cars and two-wheelers before the driver was able to control the vehicle. Two bikes and a car were among the vehicles damaged.

Also read | Mumbai BMW hit-and-run: CM Shinde says ‘guilty won’t be spared’; Aaditya Thackeray asks what about ‘bulldozer justice’

The incident occurred inside an electric bus of Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST), the transport wing of the city's civic body Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The bus on Route 66 was going from Ballard Pier in south Mumbai to Rani Laxmibai Chowk in Sion.

A drunk passenger in an inebriated state got into an argument with the bus driver and the verbal duel later escalated. As the bus approached Ganesh Talkies near Lalbaugh, he grabbed the steering wheel and threw the vehicle off balance, an official from Kalachowki police station told news agency PTI.

The police have taken the drunk passenger into custody and further investigation into the incident is underway, the official added.

Also read | Worli BMW hit-and-run case: Mihir Shah moves HC, seeks immediate release

All the injured people have been admitted to KEM hospital in the city, said Public Relations Officer from BEST. Two women among the injured are reported to be in serious medical condition.

Recent bus accidents in Mumbai

Five people were dead and 46 were injured when a private bus carrying 54 people crashed into a tractor and fell into a ditch near Mumbai-Pune Expressway on July 17. Chief minister Eknath Shinde announced ₹5 lakh compensation for the kin of the deceased and free treatment for the injured.

Also read | Juvenile involved in Pune Porsche car accident completes RTO training

In another accident last week on the Old Pune-Mumbai highway in Bopodi, a 38-year-old woman was killed and eight were injured after a bus rammed into an SUV and a two-wheeler. When the bus came near Chikhalwadi, in an attempt to save the motorcyclist, the bus entered another lane. This caused the bus to crash head-on into a car and another motorcycle before finally stopping after hitting a metro pillar.

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HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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