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9 killed as bus driver runs amok on Pune streets
A government transport undertaking bus driver went berserk on crowded Pune roads early this morning, killing nine people, injuring 27 others and damaging several vehicles. Satyajit Joshi reports. Video
A government transport undertaking bus driver went berserk on crowded Pune roads early this morning, killing nine people, injuring 27 others and damaging several vehicles.
Shocking incident spread panic in the city as citizens and students were on their way to offices and schools. Situation was brought under control after two hours when bus driver Santosh Maruti Mane was caught by people.
Mane, who is official driver of Maharashtra State Transport Corporation (MSRTC), took the bus out of Swargate bus terminus around
8 am and entered on busy Sanankarsheth road. He smashed all the vehicles which came in his way. Mane had a long drive of almost 15 when his uncontrolled vehicle rammed into parked and moving vehicles.
At least nine people, most of them padestrians, were killed when Mane was stopped by the people near Neelayam talkies. In a scene like movie, police chased the vehicles and even opened fire to stop the bus. However, their attempt was not successful.
News spread like wild fire when citizens were readying themselves to start routine. Relatives of deceased and injured gathered outside the hospitals and police are finding it difficult to control them.
Police investigations has revealed that Mane was not drunken when the incident took place. Police Commissioner also said that she would not describe Mane as mentally disordered and he will be charged with relevant sections. Sources in MSRTC said that Mane had come back from Gangapur (Dist. Aurangabad) on Tuesday and had taken a night halt in Swargate rest room.
